INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Departmental Websites

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list (a) the websites operated by his Department and (b) the reports placed on the internet in March 2006, indicating in each case whether paper copies were also made available.

Gareth Thomas: DFID maintains the following websites:
	DFID website (http://www.dfid.gov.uk)
	DFID India (http://www.dfidindia.org/)
	DFID Bangladesh (http://www.dfidbangladesh.org/)
	Good Humanitarian Donorship (http://www.goodhumanitariandonorship.org/)
	Developments Magazine (http://www.developments.org.uk/
	R4D—Research for Development portal (www.research4development.info)—this portal was launched on 31 March and contains material which was published previously so contents have not been included in the following table.
	The reports published on DFID websites for March 2006 were as follows:
	
		
			 Name of report Paper copy also available 
		
		
			 Disaster risk reduction policy Yes 
			 Implementation of the Commission for Africa recommendations and G8 Gleneagles' commitments on poverty—the UK's contribution Yes 
			 DEEP IMPACT: an investigation of the use of information and communication technologies for teacher education in the global south—Education Paper 58 Yes 
			 Partnership Programme Agreement—ActionAid Global Progress Report 2004(1) Yes 
			 Pakistan Decision Report—Poverty Reduction Budget Support (PRBS) No 
			 Nepal Annual Report 2005 Yes 
			 Sending money home: UK to India leaflet Yes 
			 How can microfinance help rebuild livelihoods in Afghanistan? No 
			 Pioneering East African drama reaches 5m No 
			 Bangladeshi communities take ownership of hygiene issues No 
			 Training the trainers No 
			 Q. When is a sardine not a sardine? A. When the European Community says it's not: Peru's use of the Geneva-based Advisory Centre on World Trade Organisation Law to challenge a European Community decision No 
			 Paddle your own canoe: a case study of fishing communities around Lake Chad No 
			 Rebuilding livelihoods and maintaining peace: clay-brick making in Sri Lanka No 
			 How Gambian producers gained better access to markets No 
			 Promoting fairtrade tourism in South Africa No 
			 Supporting greater transparency in Bolivia No 
			 How partnership opens airwaves for Bolivian youth No 
			 Right to Identity: Turning schoolchildren into citizens No 
			 Supporting a safer community in La Paz No 
			 Evaluation of DFID Country Programmes: Country Study Ghana 2000–2005 Yes 
			 Project Completion Reports Synthesis Report 2005: An analysis of projects and programmes in Prism 2000–2005 Yes 
		
	
	(1) This was actually an ActionAid report. We published it on our website to raise awareness
	Where paper copies were not made available and where an inquirer has difficulties accessing material via the internet, our public inquiry point can provide hard copy on request.

Disabled Children

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to help provide education for disabled children in developing countries; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: All children, including those with disabilities or living in difficult circumstances, should have the opportunity to fulfil their right to access and complete a good quality education.
	Tackling exclusion, including exclusion based on disability within the education system, is part of our work with partner governments. Copies of DFID's policy paper entitled 'Reducing poverty by tackling social exclusion' which sets out our broad based approach to tackling social exclusion across all sectors, have already been deposited in the Libraries of the House. This strategy highlights specific issues of discrimination which explain a large part of the disadvantages faced by children with a disability.
	DFID provides its funding for poverty reduction in support of partner governments' own plans for poverty reduction. In fulfilling our financial commitments to partner governments, including the significant commitment announced on 10 April that DFID will spend some £8.5 billion in support of education in developing countries over the next 10 years, the UK Government have taken a significant step forward in improving the opportunity for inclusive education to become a realistic goal for partner governments. We encourage partner governments to ensure that as wide a range as possible of stakeholders participate in the consultations on national poverty reduction strategies, including groups representing disabled people. Issues of social exclusion and targeted interventions for excluded groups will be addressed in the discussions our Country Offices will have with governments on developing 10-year plans for education.
	DFID's social exclusion strategy also emphasises the importance of the role of civil society in tackling all forms of social exclusion and the importance of DFID's partnerships with organisations involved in advocating for the rights of disadvantaged groups.

Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which developing countries with oil, gas or mining industries have not signed up to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative; and what steps the Government are taking to encourage them to do so.

Gareth Thomas: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Guide on Resource Revenue Transparency defines 45 developing countries (and eight developed countries) as rich in hydrocarbons or mineral resources. Of these, 19 countries have committed to implement the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). The Government are presently in discussion with a further ten countries who have not yet begun implementation.
	The Government believe that improved transparency over revenue management will bring a number of benefits to any resource rich country—in terms of improved governance, greater economic and political stability and an improved investment climate. The EITI International Advisory Group, which is supported by a Secretariat housed in the Department for International Development, is currently considering other incentives to encourage participation in EITI, and how these might be strengthened.

Ministerial Cars (Fuel Costs)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the fuel costs were for ministerial cars used by his Department in each of the last five years.

Gareth Thomas: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Transport on 27 April 2006, Official Report, column 1226W.

Pharmaceutical Industry

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with pharmaceutical companies on the pricing of cancer drugs in the developing world.

Gareth Thomas: DFID has engaged extensively with the pharmaceutical industry as part of our work to increase access to medicines in developing countries. In January 2005, we published a set of recommendations for the industry, that specifically looked at pricing policies, investment in research and development for diseases affecting developing countries, and ways of working in developing countries. These recommendations built on existing good practice in the industry. Many companies have made significant progress in making their medicines more available and affordable in developing countries.
	To date, our discussions have focused on major communicable diseases such as HIV, malaria and TB, and on neglected tropical diseases, such as sleeping sickness. However, discussions with the industry have also emphasised the degree to which treatments for non-communicable diseases such as cancers really should also be the subject of differential pricing offers given the significant public health needs in developing countries. There are in fact higher rates of cervical cancer deaths in Ghana than in the UK.
	This is an area we will continue to work on with the industry.

Sakhalin II Development

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his policy is on the funding for Shell's proposed Sakhalin II development and the requirements of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's Environmental policy; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: The UK Government have been following this project very closely through their role as a shareholder and Board member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The UK Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) is also considering the request from Sakhalin Energy Investment Company (SEIC) to provide export credit guarantees.
	The Government are fully aware of the social, environmental, commercial and energy security issues associated with this project. The EBRD, the ECGD and other members of the lender group are also treating these issues very seriously. The lender group's involvement in this project so far has improved its social and environmental standards.
	In December 2005, EBRD Management agreed that all documentation required to commence a public consultation process was fit for purpose". A 120 day public consultation period ended on 28 April. EBRD Management is now considering all written responses received and additional representations from public consultation meetings.
	Should EBRD Management recommend to its Board that the project should receive EBRD funding, then at that point the UK Government will decide whether to support an EBRD loan. The Government will also consider all the representations it has received and carefully assess all aspects of the project before reaching a final decision.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Corporate Hospitality

David Simpson: To ask the Solicitor-General on how many occasions he has accepted corporate hospitality in the last 12 months.

Mike O'Brien: Paragraph 5.28 of the Ministerial Code sets out the rules on the registration of hospitality.

Vixen Tor Climbing Incident

John Mann: To ask the Solicitor-General when he expects the Crown Prosecution Service to report on the Vixen Tor climbing incident.

Mike O'Brien: CPS Devon and Cornwall discontinued this case on 25 November 2005, at Plymouth magistrates court. CPS Devon and Cornwall wrote to the complainants on 30 November 2005, explaining the decision. As a consequence of further correspondence, a further letter of explanation was sent on 28 April 2006.

WALES

Electoral Reform

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received on electoral reform in Wales.

Nick Ainger: My right hon. Friend and I receive many representations on electoral reform in Wales. The Electoral Administration Bill, currently being considered in another place, includes a wide range of measures aimed at improving the registration process, while also reducing the risk of electoral fraud and ensuring that elections are made more accessible to voters.

Police Force Restructuring

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on police force restructuring in Wales.

Peter Hain: In line with HMIC's assessment, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I believe that an all-Wales strategic force is the most effective way of delivering a safe and secure Wales, protected against threats such as terrorism, serious and organised crime and drug trafficking.

Press Freedom

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the steps he is taking to ensure the freedom of the press in Wales.

Nick Ainger: Wales Office Ministers actively maintain contact with all sections of the media in Wales. We would obviously listen carefully to any concerns over press freedom that might be raised.

Engagements

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list his visits to Wales together with the purpose of each such visit since 1 January.

Peter Hain: On a weekly basis I meet with the first Minister and hold other ad hoc meetings in Cardiff. In addition to regular appointments and surgeries in my constituency, I have made the following visits:
	
		2006
		
			  Visit 
		
		
			 19–20 January N Wales visit—Address CBI Reception 
			  Corus living solutions, Ipsen Biopharm Ltd, Rhyl Cycling Club 
			 26 January Holocaust Memorial Day in Cardiff 
			 12 February Rugby, Wales v. Scotland, Cardiff 
			 10 February Picture Financial, EADS, International Rectifier— Newport 
			 16–17 February N Wales visit—Kimberly Clark, Flintshire County Council, RedWeb St. Asaph, Daily Post 
			 24 February Workplace Health Connect launch in Newport 
			 1 March St. Athan—visit 1st Battalion Welsh Guards/and opening of Senedd 
			 2 March Respect Action Plan—Launch Dispersal Zone—visit to school in Swansea 
			 18 March Rugby, Wales v. France, Cardiff 
			 23 March Solace Wales Conference Cardiff

Olympic Delivery Authority

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and (b) the Welsh Assembly Government on the appointment of members of the Olympic Delivery Authority.

Peter Hain: The Olympic Delivery Authority has a specific task, to deliver the Olympic Park, in Stratford, and associated infrastructure developments, in time for the 2012 Games.
	Appointments were made in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice.
	The Nations and Regions Group has representatives from each nation and English region, and is charged with ensuring that the whole of the UK benefits from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Olympic Delivery Authority will be working closely with the Nations and Regions Group.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agriculture (Sustainability/Climate Change)

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with (a) the horticultural industry and (b) farmers on the environmental effects of their work.

Elliot Morley: The Department has had discussions with both the horticultural and farming industries on this subject.
	The horticulture sector is making efforts on a number of fronts to reduce carbon emissions. Under the new Climate Change Agreement, growers will be entitled to an 80 per cent. discount on the levy provided they meet prescribed energy saving targets. Under the new Energy Scheme, it is possible for businesses to claim capital allowances on items such as thermal screens and insulation, variable speed pumps, certain heating equipment (including combined heat and power plant) and lighting. In addition, both Defra and the Horticultural Development Council carry out research into energy efficiency issues and the Carbon Trust (funded by Defra) provides advice and organises free energy services to assist in the identification of energy saving steps that can be implemented in nurseries.
	The Government are very much aware of the link between farming and the environment. The Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food (SFFS) was launched in England in 2002 and sets out the basis for a new relationship in which Government works in partnership with the farming industry in England to make farmers more market, and less subsidy focused, while managing their businesses in more environmentally and socially responsible ways.
	Achievements under SFFS include: CAP reform which, by breaking the link between subsidy and production, means there is no incentive to overproduce; the cross compliance element of the Single Payment Scheme where subsidies are linked to the delivery of environmental and animal welfare standards; the launch of Environmental Stewardship to which all farmers are eligible to apply to earn payments for undertaking environmental management of their land; and the launch of the Rural Developments Service Farm Advice Unit which oversees delivery of technical and environmental advice to farmers.
	In addition, the Department is working closely with the agricultural industry to reduce it's contribution to climate change. The Department has set up the Agricultural Change and Environment Observatory to monitor, and where possible anticipate, changes in agriculture and at farm level, and to asses consequent implications for the environment. A Stakeholder Advisory Group has been set up with the aim of advising priorities for the work of the programme, providing feedback on emerging results and their implications, identifying new and emerging areas on which the Observatory could usefully focus their work and to provide a channel of communication with a wider stakeholder community. Further information can be found on Defra's website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/observatory/background.htm
	A vital element of Defra's policy on agriculture and climate change is to raise awareness within the industry of the issues and possible actions to be taken. The Rural Climate Change Forum has been established to provide a high level forum for dialogue with Government, and authoritative advice and leadership to rural stakeholders.

Agriculture (Sustainability/Climate Change)

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the contribution made by (a) farmers and (b) horticulturalists in reducing UK carbon emissions.

Elliot Morley: The agriculture and forestry sector contributes 7 per cent. of UK greenhouse gas emissions. The major focus is on non-CO 2 gases, with, in 2004, this sector accounting for 46 per cent. of methane and 66 per cent. of nitrous oxide emissions, but only 1 per cent. of the carbon dioxide. Annual total emissions fell by 22 per cent. between 1990 and 2004, with methane emissions reducing by 13 per cent., and nitrous oxide emissions by 17 per cent.
	The new UK Climate Change Programme, published March 2006, has assessed the role of the agriculture and forestry sector in addressing climate change and seeks to raise awareness of the issues across the sector and develop measures for the sector to allow it to play a full part in tackling climate change. Substantial savings are expected, assuming the proposed measures are implemented to their full potential.
	The horticulture sector is also making efforts on a number of fronts to reduce carbon emissions. Under the new Climate Change Agreement, growers will be entitled to an 80 per cent. discount on the levy provided they meet prescribed energy saving targets.

Agriculture (Sustainability/Climate Change)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are being taken by her Department to work with farmers to reduce the impact of climate change on British agriculture.

Elliot Morley: On 7 February 2005 Defra held a seminar to help raise awareness in the stakeholder community, and identify potential practical adaptation strategies within UK agriculture to tackle the impacts of climate change. The outcomes from this event were fed into the first ever Joint Informal Council on Environment and Agriculture, held in September 2005 under the UK presidency of the EU. The joint meeting focused on the significant challenges and opportunities that climate change presents to European agriculture.
	A vital element of Defra policy on agriculture and climate change is to raise awareness within the industry of the issues and possible actions to be taken. The Rural Climate Change Forum has been established to provide a high level forum for dialogue with Government, and authoritative advice and leadership to rural stakeholders.
	The new UK Climate Change Programme, published on 28 March 2006 signals a step change in the recognition we are giving to the agriculture sector in addressing climate change. The new programme has assessed the role of the agriculture and forestry sector in addressing climate change and seeks to raise awareness of the issues across the sector and develop measures to allow it to play a full part in tackling climate change.
	The UK National Adaptation Policy Framework is currently being developed. It will help to provide a more strategic approach to adaptation, identifying key risks and opportunities common across a number of policy areas and to coordinate approaches where possible. The first phase of the framework will be structured on a sectoral basis, and these sectors will include Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry as well as water resources, biodiversity and nature conservation. As the framework develops it will also reflect cross-cutting issues.
	We are also committed to continuing to develop a robust evidence base in order to be able to support policy development and inform land managers of the best technologies and information available to help them adapt to climate change.

Agriculture (Sustainability/Climate Change)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are being taken by her Department to ensure the sustainability of British agriculture.

Jim Knight: British farming is valued for the contribution it makes to the economy and to the environment, through producing our food, safeguarding and enhancing our landscapes, and increasingly to contribute to tackling the problems of a changing world—such as meeting our energy needs. Through the strategy for sustainable farming and food, the Government have put in place a comprehensive and long-term plan to deliver a profitable and sustainable future for farming in this country.
	Key to successful delivery of the strategy is the partnership between Government and industry, based on a commitment to shared goals. Through this partnership much has already been achieved, including: the delivery of CAP reform which, by breaking the link between subsidy and production, will help bring farmers closer to their markets; the cross compliance element of the single payment scheme through which subsidies are linked to the delivery of environmental and animal welfare standards; the launch of environmental stewardship, for which all farmers are eligible to apply to earn payments for undertaking environmental management of their land; and launch of Partners for Success" a regulation and charging strategy for the farming sector, through which Government will continue to work with industry to regulate better and smarter.
	An independent delivery group chaired by Sir Don Curry will continue to oversee and drive forward delivery of the strategy over the next three years.

Ammonium Nitrate Fertiliser

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what records are held by the Government on the commercial sale of ammonium nitrate fertiliser.

Elliot Morley: The Government do not hold records on the commercial sale of ammonium nitrate fertiliser. I understand that records of commercial sales are kept by Industry (the Agricultural Industries Confederation).

Ammonium Nitrate Fertiliser

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Government plans to introduce restrictions on (a) the commercial sale of and (b) the levels of nitrate in ammonium nitrate fertiliser.

Elliot Morley: The Government have no immediate plans to restrict either the commercial sale of, nor the levels of nitrate in, ammonium nitrate (AN) fertiliser.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the then Minister for Rural Affairs of 25 May 2004, Official Report, column 1493W, which outlined the measures taken at the time to control the supply of AN fertilisers. Subsequent to that response, the Government invited the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) to develop a voluntary fertiliser assurance scheme, to ensure robust safety, security and traceability of all inorganic agricultural and horticultural fertilisers throughout the supply chain up to the farm gate. The resulting Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme, (FIAS), was launched on 9 January 2006. Details of the Scheme can be found on the AIC website at www.agindustries.org.uk.
	The voluntary and statutory measures governing the manufacture and supply of AN fertilisers are kept under continuous review and further measures will be taken if necessary.

Beef Exports

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what Government support has been given to the farming industry to assist the resumption of beef exports.

Jim Knight: Ministers and officials are working closely with industry representatives to ensure that the appropriate mechanisms are in place to ensure that beef exports can resume as soon as possible.
	On 3 May, my noble Friend Lord Bach, the Minister for Sustainable Farming and Food, is hosting a further high level meeting with the those involved in the beef supply chain to consider the issues of interest to the beef sector, including the resumption of exports. On 4 May, he will be visiting the major Italian food fair (CIBUS) to help promote our beef exports.
	The Government are also providing financial assistance for exports as part of the £5.5 million funding for a Beef Market Restoration Programme announced last October.

Biofuels

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the threat to biodiversity if biofuels are produced as a single crop.

Elliot Morley: The Department is in regular contact with the Department of Trade and Industry to discuss a whole range of issues related to bio-energy, including the impacts on biodiversity. Most transport biofuel feedstocks will be grown in rotation as part of a mix of several crops on the farm. Production from a mix of feedstocks and replacing crops for food would have a neutral effect on biodiversity. Any replacement of spring sown break crops with winter oilseed rape would have a negative effect on crop diversity and farmland birds. If arable crops replaced natural-regeneration set-aside, this would reduce habitat diversity. In the longer term, as technology improves, straw and wood could be used for bioethanol production without significantly affecting biodiversity.
	Research suggests that, in comparison with arable crops, energy crops such as short rotation coppice grown for heat and power generation can encourage biodiversity, particularly for birds and insects.

Correspondence

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Minister for Rural Affairs, Landscape and Biodiversity will respond to the letter from the hon. Member for North Essex dated 17 November 2005 concerning the Chappel Memorial Green Trust; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: I apologise for the delay in replying to the hon. Member's letter. A response was issued on 25 April 2006.

Departmental Websites

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list (a) the websites operated by her Department and (b) the reports placed on the internet in March 2006, indicating in each case whether paper copies were also made available.

Jim Knight: DEFRA directly operates a number of websites, including the main DEFRA website (http://www.defra.gov.uk/) and the Government's sustainable development website (http://www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/). A number of other websites are operated by or on behalf of the Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies, but detailed information is not held centrally for these, and an accurate, comprehensive list could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.
	Several thousand pages of documents on the DEFRA website were updated or published during March 2006. As such it would be difficult to identify those which might be regarded as reports". Specific information about the availability of paper copies of these documents is not readily available.
	DEFRA ensures that reports are, where appropriate, made available as printed copies as well as online. If a report is published only via the website (and not in printed form), this is based on an assessment of factors such as the audience for the document (general or specialist), the nature of the material and its anticipated lifetime, whether speed of distribution electronically is particularly important, and cost-efficiency issues.

Disabled People

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her Department's progress in fulfilling its statutory obligation as a public body to promote the rights of disabled people.

Jim Knight: I am replying in my new role as Minister responsible for Diversity and Equality in DEFRA.
	Disability Equality Duty
	The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 placed new duties on public authorities to promote equality for disabled people, the Disability Equality Duty.
	The legislation requires DEFRA to publish a departmental disability equality scheme outlining how it will meet the duty. In order to reflect the creation of the single equality body the Commission for Equality and Human Rights and also reduce the burden to the business DEFRA has decided to do this as a joint equality scheme (JES) that will fully address both race and disability issues. The JES can be adapted to include other legislation as it comes on line, for instance gender and age.
	DEFRA's diversity and equality unit (DEU) wrote to all business units earlier this year seeking information on the impact of the equalities legislation on their areas of work and the actions they would take to address this. The information provided has been used to develop a draft JES, including a departmental action plan covering a three-year period from 2006–09. At the end of the three year period, DEU will have responsibility for reviewing the scheme. As a result of the review the DEU will launch a revised scheme, which will run for a further three years.
	In addition, the Secretary of State will report annually on progress for the JES covering core DEFRA and all its Executive Agencies and NDPBs. It will also set out actions for the future.
	Other Issues That Promote Equality For Disabled People
	DEFRA has a staff network for employees with disabilities that provides advice for policy makers on disability issues. The Department is a member of the Inter-Departmental Disability Group sharing best practice between Government Departments and is also a member of the Employers' Forum for Disability.
	DEFA has good relations with its Executive Agencies and NDPBs and is working with them on promoting the service delivery aspects of disability such as access to the countryside and how disabled people are consulted about new rural and environmental initiatives.

EU INSPIRE Directive

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will place in the Library a copy of (a) the Regulatory Impact Assessment and (b) the supplementary explanatory memorandum on the implementation of the EU INSPIRE directive.

Elliot Morley: Copies of the Regulatory Impact Assessment and the supplementary explanatory memorandum on the implementation of the EU INSPIRE directive were sent to the International Affairs Section of the House of Commons Library in 2005 via a Cabinet Office circulation list for explanatory memoranda. Copies of both documents are available in the Library.
	In addition, the Regulatory Impact Assessment will soon be available on the Intra-governmental Group on Geographic Information website <http://www.iggi.gov.uk>.

Farm Numbers

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farm holdings there were in the UK in each of the last 20 years.

Jim Knight: The number of agricultural and horticultural holdings in England recorded for the years 1986 to 2005 are shown below. Figures for the other UK countries fall under the jurisdiction of the devolved authorities.
	
		
			  Number of agricultural and horticultural holdings 
		
		
			 1986 154,735 
			 1987 155,785 
			 1988 156,647 
			 1989 157,393 
			 1990 150,652 
			 1991 150,966 
			 1992 151,718 
			 1993 153,422 
			 1994 153,426 
			 1995 146,112 
			 1996 145,637 
			 1997 144,777 
			 1998 145,093 
			 1999 147,220 
			 2000 167,855 
			 2001 177,934 
			 2002 187,871 
			 2003 190,687 
			 2004 192,824 
			 2005 195,908 
		
	
	Notes:
	(a) Figures prior to 2000 are for main holdings only, from 2000 onwards main and minor holdings are included. A holding is defined as minor if it meets all of the following conditions:
	1. the total area is less than 6 hectares
	2. the labour requirement is estimated to be less than 100 standard person-days
	3. there is no regular full-time farmer or worker
	4. the glasshouse area is less than 100 square metres
	5. the occupier does not farm another holding
	(b) There has been an increase in the number of holdings in later years. This reflects changes in registration requirements with many smaller holdings now appearing on the system.
	Source:
	June Agricultural Census and June Agricultural Survey.

Farm Numbers

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farms there are in (a) Coventry and (b) the West Midlands Region.

Jim Knight: holding answer 27 April 2006
	The number of agricultural and horticultural holdings in Coventry and West Midlands Region are shown as follows.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Coventry 89 
			 West Midlands Region 25,851 
		
	
	Note:
	Not all holdings were actively farming at the time of the survey. 66 economically active agricultural and horticultural Holdings were registered in Coventry, 18,314 were registered in West Midlands Region.
	Source:
	June 2005 Agricultural and Horticultural Survey (England)

Farm Tenants

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what opportunities exist for farm tenants to diversify as a result of recent changes to landlord/tenant legislation; and what plans the Government has to respond to further changes proposed by the Tenancy Reform Industry Group.

Jim Knight: A Regulatory Reform Order to amend the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 and the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995 was laid before Parliament on 30 March 2006. The order is currently going through the parliamentary scrutiny process, but, if adopted, the amendments should make it easier for tenant farmers to diversify. In particular, the amendments would enable potential successors to a tenancy to carry out diversified activities on a holding with the consent of the landlord, without jeopardising the right to succession to the tenancy. The amendments should also facilitate tenant diversification by encouraging landlords to agree to improvements to the holding and by making it easier to restructure holdings held under a 1986 Act tenancy.
	In addition to the proposed, Defra in conjunction with the Tenancy Reform Industry Group, has published a Code of Good Practice for agri-environment and diversification projects within agricultural tenancies. This sets out a framework to help tenants and landlords come to agreement on proposals for diversification or participation in an agri-environment scheme. Where tenants and landlords are unable to agree in accordance with the Code of Good Practice, Defra has provided funding for an adjudication scheme, free at the point of use, to enable the proposal to be considered by an independent adjudicator. The adjudication scheme is administered by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. The Code of Good Practice is available on the Defra website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/tenancy/trig/trig-cogp.pdf
	The Tenancy Reform Industry Group put forward its recommendations to Government in June 2003 and has not since put forward any further proposals for change. The Government responded to the Group's recommendations in December 2003. The Government keeps in close contact with the Tenancy Reform Industry Group on landlord/tenant issues and will continue to do so.

Forestry

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what considerations formed the basis of the decision to extend the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification scheme probation period.

Elliot Morley: The Government currently accepts certificates from the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) scheme as a means of assuring central departments that their demand for timber from legal and sustainable sources is being met. That acceptance is provisional on recent changes made to the PEFC scheme being implemented by the national schemes endorsed by PEFC.
	An initial examination of some of the national schemes showed that the various national decision making processes were not identical. Subsequent information supplied by the schemes indicated that the processes adopted may nevertheless result in compliance with the PEFC Council requirements but the situation was not clear-cut and called for further consideration.
	The Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET) will soon undertake a review of all the forest certification schemes assessed by CPET in 2004. The Government have decided that this review will, in addition to examining published scheme requirements, consider evidence of failure to adopt scheme system requirements. The Government would prefer to take a decision on PEFC's probationary status in the light of any new evidence that this review may unearth.

Forestry

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who was involved in the decision to extend the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification scheme probation period.

Elliot Morley: Ministers took the decision taking account of a range of views, including external stakeholders.

Johnson McNeil

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether Johnson McNeil is employed by her Department or one of its agencies.[R]

Jim Knight: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 18 April 2006, Official Report, column 24W.

Market Towns Initiative

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the market towns which have participated in the market towns initiative; between which dates each participated; and which towns have applied for funding but have been unsuccessful.

Jim Knight: holding answer 26 April 2006
	The national Market Towns Initiative (MTI) was launched in FY 2000–01 and provided £32 million to Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), and £5 million to the Countryside Agency (CA) to support community-led market town regeneration in the regions. The initiative was therefore not established as a national funding programme, but as a means of enabling regional partnerships to target towns in their region according to regionally agreed selection criteria. The aim was to provide support to 100 towns but, by the time the national initiative ended in FY 2003–04, over 230 towns had benefited.
	The final list of towns that were chosen to participate in the national MTI is available on the Countryside Agency website http://www.countryside.gov.uk/Images/list_tcm2–15794.pdf
	Participation dates and details of towns that were unsuccessful is held in archive files in the regions and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Following the end of the national MTI, responsibility for market towns was devolved to the regional and local level, with the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) primarily providing support for market towns through their mainstream activities.

Meat Hygiene Service

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the (a) possible effects on the terms and conditions of and (b) cost impacts on veterinary surgeons of each of the options for proposed changes to veterinary supervision arrangements within the Meat Hygiene Service.

Caroline Flint: I have been asked to reply.
	The options for proposed changes to veterinary supervision arrangements within the meat hygiene service are set out in the 12-week public consultation launched on 11 April 2006.
	Effects on terms and conditions of veterinary surgeons and costs of the preferred options for change are being explored as part of the consultation process. A regulatory impact assessment will be completed in light of comments received during the consultation and from more detailed engagement with those stakeholders that are directly affected by the proposed changes, such as veterinary contractors.

Meat Hygiene Service

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she commission an independent assessment of the likely impact of each of the options for proposed changes to veterinary supervision arrangements within the Meat Hygiene Service.

Caroline Flint: I have been asked to reply.
	No. The options for proposed changes to veterinary supervision arrangements within the meat hygiene service (MHS) are set out in the 12-week public consultation launched on 11 April 2006.
	Development of the proposals has been informed by Professor Wall's independent inquiry into the failure of the MHS in 2004 to ensure all relevant at risk 24 to 30 month bovines had been tested for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and recommendations to minimise the risk of failure recurring (with three recommendations in particular directed towards improving the veterinary structure). The proposals have also been informed by two subsequent reports commissioned by the Food Standards Agency and the MHS from DNV Consulting and the independent advisory group's requirements relating to the over 30 month rule change.
	The various reports are publicly available and comments are invited on the proposed changes as part of the consultation process. A regulatory impact assessment will be completed in light of comments received during the consultation and from more detailed engagement with those stakeholders that are directly affected by the proposed changes, such as veterinary contractors.

Meat Hygiene Service

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the TUPE implications are of each of the options for proposed changes for veterinary supervision arrangements within the Meat Hygiene Service.

Caroline Flint: I have been asked to reply.
	The options for proposed changes to veterinary supervision arrangements within the meat hygiene service (MHS) are set out in the 12-week public consultation launched on 11 April 2006.
	These acknowledge that there are possible TUPE employment rights issues arising from the preferred option (and from other options considered by the MHS in its review), but these are similar to those currently being managed through the existing Official Veterinarian contract arrangements, and with the use of other contract or Agency staff more generally. These issues will be explored further during the consultation process.

Parliamentary Questions

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy when placing material in the Library in response to a parliamentary question to supply a copy of the material to the hon. Member who tabled the question; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: Government best practice is that departments should supply a copy of material placed in the Library in response to a Parliamentary question to the hon. Member who tabled it.

Single Farm Payments

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farmers (a) in England and (b) in Windsor constituency will receive late payments for 2005 from the Rural Payments Agency.

Jim Knight: holding answer 24 April 2006
	The payment window for all 2005 single payment scheme claims runs from 1 December 2005to 30 June 2006. Claims from farmers in the Windsor constituency cannot be separately identified.
	The Rural Payments Agency aims to make a full or partial payment to all eligible customers by the end of this payment window. As in previous years, with predecessor schemes, there will be a small number of difficult cases which cannot be resolved and paid within this time frame.

Single Farm Payments

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to issue written guarantees that payments will be forthcoming to farmers awaiting single farm payments and facing possession proceedings.

Jim Knight: holding answer 25 April 2006
	Applicants under the 2005 Single Payment Scheme (SPS) have already been sent a statement giving the gross value of their SPS entitlements. The acting Chief Executive of the RPA will also write shortly to applicants confirming the intention to make full or substantial partial payments in respect of all eligible applications by the end of June.

Single Farm Payments

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many single farm payments in (a) Stroud constituency and (b) Gloucestershire have (i) been cancelled, (ii) yet to be cancelled and (iii) been invalidated.

Jim Knight: holding answer 25 April 2006
	The Single Payment Scheme is not operated by region therefore it is not possible to answer questions relating to specific geographical areas on payments made, cancelled, waiting to be cancelled or invalidated.

Single Farm Payments

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects the problems with the computerised mapping system for single farm payments to be fully resolved.

Jim Knight: holding answer 24 April 2006
	The process of digitising land and amending existing digitised records is an ongoing process. Responsibility for this process rests with the Rural Payments Agency (RPA). Around 98 per cent. of mapping requests required to support 2005 Single Payment Scheme (SPS) claims are now complete. RPA expects further mapping work to be received in to support 2006 SPS claims, together with applications for Environmental Stewardship.

Single Farm Payments

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  when David Diamond, a beef farmer of Portford Lane, South Brent, holding number 10/296/0205, will receive his Single Payment Scheme payment;
	(2)  if she will take steps to arrange an emergency payment to Mr. David Diamond, a beef farmer of Portford Lane, South Brent, following delay in payment under the Single Farm Payment Scheme payment; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: holding answer 24 April 2006
	For all Single Payment Scheme applicants, the payment window runs from 1 December 2005 to 30 June 2006. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) intends to make a full or partial payment to all eligible customers by the end of this window.
	Mr. David Diamond's claim is currently being processed, and will be paid in due course. However, if Mr. Diamond is suffering financial hardship he or his representatives can approach the Rural Stress Information Network, with whom RPA is liaising over genuine hardship cases.

Tallow

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much tallow was burned as a fuel in the UK in each of the last five years; and what assessment she has made of the potential effect on the animal by-product regulation on tallow burning.

Elliot Morley: Information on the quantity of tallow burned as waste by incineration and co-incineration is not available. The EU Animal By-products Regulation 1774/2002(EC) which came into effect in 2003 requires tallow when burnt to be disposed of as waste by incineration or co-incineration in accordance with the Waste Incineration Directive 2000/76/EC.

Tallow

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the potential effect of a ban on tallow burning on fossil fuel emissions targets;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the potential of a ban on the sale of tallow on the cost-effectiveness of the disposal of offal in rendering plants.

Elliot Morley: There is no ban on the sale or burning of tallow, so no assessments of this kind have been made.
	Installations may burn tallow provided they comply with regulatory requirements. If, as is usually the case, the tallow is waste within the definition given in the EU Waste Framework Directive, the regulatory requirements include one for a permit issued under the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations 2000 incorporating the requirements of the EU Waste Incineration Directive.

Tallow

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the enforcement of the ban on burning tallow.

Elliot Morley: Installations may burn tallow provided they comply with regulatory requirements. If, as is usually the case, the tallow is waste within the definition given in the EU Waste Framework Directive, the regulatory requirements include one for a permit issued under the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations 2000 incorporating the requirements of the EU Waste Incineration Directive.
	The enforcement of these regulations is a matter for the Environment Agency and the local authorities.

Water Shortages

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Government has implemented the Labour Party's 1996 proposals on water policy.

Elliot Morley: A number of actions fell to the Government following the Water Summit of May 1997 which was convened to carry forward manifesto commitments. The legislative changes necessary to implement those actions have been made.

Water Shortages

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the penalties are for a domestic householder breaking a hosepipe ban.

Elliot Morley: Breach of a hosepipe ban is an offence under section 76 of the Water Industry Act 1991. The maximum penalty on conviction in a magistrates court is a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces Bases (Charges)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what charges are levied at British bases in Germany for (a) accommodation, (b) heating and (c) lighting on (i) British troops, (ii) civil servants and (iii) schoolteachers; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: Accommodation charges for service personnel are recommended annually by the independent Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB), and a copy of their 2006 report has been placed in the Library of the House. Where levied, charges vary depending on the type and grade of accommodation occupied and, for service families accommodation (SFA) whether it is furnished, part furnished or unfurnished. Single living accommodation (SLA) charges include a rental element plus heating and lighting; whereas SFA charges include a rental element, but occupants are responsible for heating and lighting payments. In Germany, SFA fuel charges are protected by MOD's fuel and light scheme which aims to ensure that occupants of SFA are no better or worse off financially than they could reasonably expect in the UK.
	UK civil servants, including schoolteachers, on normal tours of duty in Germany, are provided with accommodation without charge as part of their overseas terms and conditions of service. Heating and lighting are also provided without charge up to a specified annual consumption limit. Any usage over and above this limit is charged for at actual rates.
	The exception to this is UK civil servants, including schoolteachers, specially recruited for overseas service on or after 1 September 2001. The 2001 review of overseas terms and conditions of service withdrew the provision of free accommodation and utilities for these staff five years after taking up their appointment. The first staff affected by this rule will arise on or after 1 September 2006. The charges for accommodation and utilities will be broadly the same as those that are applied to service personnel, and details of these charges are to be published shortly.

Defence Coalition Support Account

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations his Department has received from the US regarding the establishment of a Defence Coalition Support Account.

John Reid: In its 2006 Quadrennial Defence Review the US Department of Defence stated that it would seek to establish a Defence Coalition Support Account. Although there were discussions with MOD officials on the QDR there were no specific representations on a Defence Coalition Support Account.

Drug Testing

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many people in each of the armed forces have tested positive for controlled substances in each of the past five years, broken down by rank;
	(2)  how many people in each of the armed forces have gone on the Early Intervention Programme (Drugs) in each year since it began; and how many have subsequently been retained in the armed forces, broken down by rank;

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people in each of the armed forces have failed a drugs test following successful completion of the Early Intervention Programme (Drugs), broken down by rank.

Don Touhig: holding answer 2 May 2006
	The information required is contained in the following tables.
	
		Royal Navy
		
			 Compulsory drug testing 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 Officers/cadets positive 0 1 1 0 1 
			 WO/Senior Rates positive 4 3 0 1 0 
			 Junior Rates positive 46 38 55 46 46 
		
	
	No RN personnel have attended the Early Intervention Programme (Drugs) (EIP(D)).
	
		Army
		
			 Compulsory drug testing 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 Officers/cadets positive 0 3 1 1 1 
			 WO/SNCOs positive 1 4 3 4 1 
			 JNCOs/Privates positive 633 506 513 623 790 
		
	
	
		
			 Early Intervention Programme (Drugs) (EIP(D)) (2)2003 (September-December) 2004 2005 2006 (January-March) 
		
		
			 JNCOs/Privates on programme 37 113 101 43 
			 JNCOs/Privates retained in the Service 99 retained in total 
		
	
	(2) The EIP(D) commenced in September 2003.
	No officers/cadets or WO/SNCOs have attended the programme. Final decisions are still pending upon 94 individuals as to whether they will be retained following completion of the EIP(D).
	Of those retained after successfully completing the programme, 14 JNCOs/Privates have subsequently tested positive and have been discharged.
	
		Royal Air Force
		
			 Compulsory drug testing 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 Officers/cadets positive 0 0 0 0 0 
			 WO/NCOs positive 3 2 0 1 3 
			 Airmen positive 15 8 20 23 18 
		
	
	One RAF airwoman attended the EIP(D) in 2004. The individual has been retained.

Equal Pay

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are undertaken within his Department to ensure that women are obtaining equal pay to men doing work of equal value.

Don Touhig: In line with all Departments and agencies, the Ministry of Defence conducted an equal pay audit in 2003. We were satisfied that there was no direct discrimination within our civilian pay systems. We do however have very long pay scales which can distort average salaries. We have monitored the situation annually throughout the MOD's four-year pay deal from 2002 to 2005 and we intend to shorten the pay scales as part of this year's pay deal.
	Pay rates for service personnel are recommended by the independent Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB). In making their recommendations, the AFPRB is kept informed of the impact of current employment legislation on service personnel through the evidence it receives.

Hospitals (Military Personnel)

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many hospital wards in the UK are reserved for military personnel only.

Don Touhig: There are no hospital wards in the UK that are reserved for military personnel only.

Military Medals

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what military medals have been issued by the Government since 8 May 1945 for which eligibility may still be claimed; and (a) on what date and (b) for what they were issued.

Don Touhig: There have been 51 campaign related military medals issued by the British Government since 8 May 1945 that can still be claimed. A detailed list is shown in the following tables.
	
		World War II
		
			 Medal From To 
		
		
			 1939 to 1945 Star 3 September 1939 2 September 1945 
			 Atlantic Star 3 September 1939 8 May 1945 
			 Air Crew Europe Star 3 September 1939 5 June 1944 
			 Africa Star 10 June 1940 12 May 1943 
			 Pacific Star 8 December 1941 2 September 1945 
			 Burma Star 11 December 1941 2 September 1945 
			 Italy Star 11 June 1943 8 May 1945 
			 France and Germany Star 6 June 1944 8 May 1945 
			 Defence Medal 3 September 1939 2 September 1945 
			 War Medal 1939 to 1945 3 September 1939 2 September 1945 
			 India Service Medal 1939 to 1945 3 September 1939 2 September 1945 
		
	
	
		General Service Medal (GSM) 1918 to 1962 awarded since World War II
		
			 Medal From To 
		
		
			 South East Asia 1945–46 3 September 1945 30 November 1946 
			 Bomb and Mine Clearance  1945–1949 3 September 1945 31 December 1949 
			 Minesweeping (Naval GSM) 3 September 1945 30 September 1951 
			 Bomb and Mine Clearance  1945–1956 3 September 1945 10 November 1956 
			 Palestine 1945–1948 27 September 1945 30 June 1948 
			 Malaya 16 June 1948 31 July 1960 
			 Yangtze (Naval GSM) 20 April 1949 20 April 1949 
			 HMS Consort (Naval GSM) 20 April 1949 21 April 1949 
			 HMS London (Naval GSM) 21 April 1949 21 April 1949 
			 HMS Black Swan (Naval GSM) 21 April 1949 21 April 1949 
			 HMS Amethyst (Naval GSM) 21 April 1949 21 April 1949 
			 Canal Zone 16 October 1951 19 October 1954 
			 Africa GSM with Clasp Kenya 21 October 1952 17 November 1956 
			 Bomb and Mine Clearance  Mediterranean Clasp 1955–1960 1 January 1955 31 December 1960 
			 Cyprus 1 April 1955 18 April 1959 
			 Near East 31 October 1956 22 December 1956 
			 Arabian Peninsula 1 January 1957 30 June 1960 
			 Brunei 8 December 1962 23 December 1962 
		
	
	
		General Service Medal 1962 awarded
		
			 Medal From To 
		
		
			 Borneo 24 December 1962 11 August 1966 
			 Radfan 25 April 1964 31 July 1964 
			 South Arabia 1 August 1964 30 November 1967 
			 Malay Peninsula 17 August 1964 11 August 1966 
			 South Vietnam 24 December 1962 29 May 1964 
			 Northern Ireland 14 August 1969 Ongoing 
			 Dhofar 1 October 1969 3 September 1976 
			 Lebanon 7 February 1983 9 March 1984 
			 Mine Clearance (Gulf of Suez) 15 August 1984 15 October 1984 
			 Gulf 17 November 1986 28 February 1989 
			 Kuwait 8 March 1991 30 September 1991 
			 Northern Iraq/Southern Turkey 6 April 1991 17 July 1991 
			 Air Operations Iraq RESINATE  South 16 July 1991 18 March 2003 
			 Air Operations Iraq RESINATE  North 16 July 1991 30 April 2003 
		
	
	
		Medals for individual campaigns or operations
		
			 Medal From To 
		
		
			 Korea Medal 2 July 1950 27 July 1953 
			 Rhodesia Medal 1 December 1979 20 March 1980 
			 South Atlantic Medal 2 April 1982 12 July 1982 
			 Gulf Medal 2 August 1990 7 March 1991 
			 Iraq Medal 20 January 2003 Ongoing 
		
	
	
		Operational Service Medal with ribbon from 1 January 2000
		
			 Medal From To 
		
		
			 Sierra Leone 5 May 2000 31 July 2002 
			 Afghanistan (Op Veritas) 11 September 2001 Ongoing 
		
	
	
		Accumulated Campaign Service Medal
		
			 Medal From To 
		
		
			 Accumulated Campaign Service Medal 14 August 1969 Ongoing

War Pensions

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many war pensions have been successfully claimed in each of the last five years; and how many of these were awarded for (a) physical injury and (b) mental health conditions.

Don Touhig: holding answer 2 March 2006
	It is not possible to provide the data broken down by physical injury and mental health conditions as there are too many individual cases, some with multiple conditions, to practically assign them to the above categories.
	However, we can provide the number of cases where an ongoing war pension was awarded in each of the past five years for the 12 month period 1 October to the following 30 September for each of the last five years.
	
		
			  New pensions awarded 
		
		
			 2000–01 2,585 
			 2001–02 2,440 
			 2002–03 1,965 
			 2003–04 1,800 
			 2004–05 1,670

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Children's Services

Fraser Kemp: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission 
	(1)  what (a) nursery and crèche places and (b) other facilities are provided for the children of employees of the House of Commons;
	(2)  what recent representations the Commission has received on the provision of nursery and crèche places on the House of Commons estate.

Nick Harvey: The House provides child care vouchers in respect of children of staff of the House and Members' staff up to the age of 12. In addition a subsidised summer play scheme has run for several years where staff of the House and Members' staff can reserve places for their children during the school holiday period. The Commission decided in 2003 that a voucher scheme was preferable to an on-site nursery or crèche facilities because of its greater flexibility and the fact that most parents prefer young children to be cared for at or near home.
	The Commission has had no recent representations other than a question asked on 24 January 2006, Official Report, columns 1303–04, by the hon. Member for Cardiff, North (Julie Morgan).

Parking Spaces

Jim Dowd: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how many parking spaces on the House of Commons estate are reserved for specific individuals; which individuals are concerned; where the spaces are; and why each such space is provided.

Nick Harvey: There are 15 parking spaces reserved for specific individuals on the Parliamentary Estate.
	In Speaker's Court the following seven individuals each have a reserved space allocated to them to enable them to fulfil their duties: the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House, the Leader of the House, the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, and the Government Chief Whip.
	There are a further eight spaces reserved for residents of the estate; Mr. Speaker has three such spaces reserved in Speaker's Court, the Clerk of the House, the Serjeant at Arms and the Speaker's Secretary each have a reserved space allocated to them by Richmond Terrace and the Head Office Keeper and Senior Office Keeper each have a reserved space allocated to them within Commissioners Yard, Norman Shaw buildings.

TRANSPORT

A1079

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what average number of vehicles used the A1079 road each day in the latest period for which figures are available; how many vehicles the A1079 was originally designed to carry; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: The latest available figures relate to 2004, when the estimated average number of vehicles using the A1079 road each day was 15,300. The A1079 is managed by the local highways authority and the Department does not hold information about the number of vehicles it was designed to carry.

A6

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make a decision on the A6 Bypass South East Manchester multi-modal study road scheme in Stockport.

Stephen Ladyman: We are currently considering the scheme appraisal for the SEMMMS New Relief Road. We are also considering advice from the North West region on the priority it attaches to the conventional funding element of this and other schemes in the North West. We plan to make an announcement in due course.

A6

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the potential for displacement of traffic onto the M60 Motorway between junction 25 and the M60/A57 interchange as a result of the proposed A6 Bypass road scheme.

Stephen Ladyman: An outline assessment has been undertaken into the potential impacts of the A6 Hazel Grove Bypass and other South East Manchester multi modal study road schemes on the M60 and the M60/M67/A57 Denton interchange. The Greater Manchester local authorities are in the process of updating their transport model which will allow a more detailed appraisal of these and other impacts to be assessed.

Airport Security

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to ensure that those involved with terrorist groups do not obtain security clearance enabling them to work at airports.

Derek Twigg: The Department has in place a regulation that requires that persons who wish to be employed to undertake security duties at UK airports must obtain security clearance, to counter-terrorist check (CTC) level. CTC clearance covers a check of police and Security Service records, a check of the person's identity, and employment/education references for the past five years. Non-security staff wishing to be employed airside at a UK airport are required to undergo all of these checks except that of Security Service records.

Car Tax Forms

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport under what circumstances a sub-post office is allowed to hold the V14 reclaim of car tax form.

Stephen Ladyman: In order to hold V14 forms, Post Office branches must also be authorised to sell motor vehicle licences (MVLs) to the customers on behalf of DVLA.
	Over 4500 Post Office branches provide the MVL services and each of these is authorised to hold the V14 form.

Driving Standards Agency

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints the Driving Standards Agency has received from participants in the motorcycle theory tests.

Stephen Ladyman: In 2005–06 the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) recorded 2,310 complaints relating to the theory test. The recorded data cannot be broken down by driving licence category.

Fire Precautions (Sub-surface Railway Stations)  Regulations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions his Department has had with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister regarding the Fire Precautions (Sub-surface Railway Stations) Regulations 1989.

Derek Twigg: Officials in the Department have been kept fully informed of the progress being made by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to reform general fire safety legislation.

Flights (Domestic/International)

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) domestic and (b) international flights originated from the UK in each of the last five years.

Derek Twigg: Information on domestic and international flights originating from the UK for the last five years is published in Table 2.2a of the Department's annual publication, Transport Statistics Great Britain 2005 edition, which is also available on the Department for Transport website.

Government Car Service

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) of 13 March 2006, Official Report, column 1886W, on the Government Car Service, what make and model of car has been made available to each Government Minister; how many hours a day a chauffeur is available to them; what the monthly cost is of this provision; and how much is accounted for by (a) running costs of the vehicle, (b) costs of the chauffeur and (c) all other costs.

Stephen Ladyman: pursuant to the reply, 19 April 2006, Official Report, c. 701–2W
	The total contracted cost of providing ministerial transport in 2005–06 was £5,783,200. All other figures given in my reply are correct.

Highways Construction Works

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of (a) the prevailing inflation rate for highways construction works and (b) the causes of the level of such inflation.

Stephen Ladyman: The Highways Agency use the ROADCON and ROCOS indices published by the DTI for assessing the impact of historic inflation on highway works. As these indices are published in arrears, the Highways Agency has commissioned further work to provide an assessment of current inflation and a forward look.
	Inflation in highway construction is driven both by demand and the costs of basic resources for carrying out the works.

Intelligent Speed Adaptation

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has funded on intelligent speed adaptation technology on roads.

Stephen Ladyman: A research project into external vehicle speed control (the technology now more commonly known as intelligent speed adaptation or ISA) was carried out on behalf of the Department for Transport, local government and the regions between 1997 and 2000. The results are available on the Department for Transport website and copies of the executive summary have been placed in the Library.
	A further project into the longer term effects of intelligent seed adaptation on driver behaviour began in 2001 and is expected to end in December 2006. The reports will be available when the project has been completed.
	An additional project entitled Intelligent Speed Adaptation Research (National and International)" supports the main ISA project and allows for the provision of expert technical advice on ISA, on an ad hoc basis, as the need arises.
	The Department also took part in SpeedAlert"—a European project which looked at issues surrounding the implementation of speed advice systems. The consortium's final report has been completed and copies placed in the Library.

Level Crossings

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking (a) to remove panel gapping on railway level crossings and (b) to improve level crossing safety generally; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 26 April 2006
	Panel gapping removal at railway crossings is an operational matter for Network Rail.
	Network Rail and the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), the safety regulator for the railway, are both actively engaged in work to make level crossings safer and reduce risk. The ORR has a policy for reducing the risks which focuses on:
	Ensuring that the railway industry is itself doing everything that is reasonably practical to ensure that all those who use level crossings are not exposed to unacceptable risks to their health and safety.
	Working with Government Departments, other agencies and stakeholders to maintain and where possible improve the standards of safety for level crossing users.
	Seeking the closure or upgrade of level crossings where this is reasonably practicable and not supporting the construction of new level crossings other than in exceptional circumstances.

Martin Centre for Architectural and Urban Studies

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funding his Department and its agencies have provided to the Cambridge University Martin Centre for Architectural and Urban Studies on research into the Sustainability of Land Use and Transport in Outer Neighbourhoods; and what submissions it has received so far from the research body.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department has no record of having provided any funding to this organisation, or of having received any submissions from it.

Media Monitoring and Training

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much agencies of his Department spent on (a) media monitoring, (b) media training and (c) marketing in each year since 1997; and how much his Department spent on (i) marketing in each year since 2002–03 and (ii) (A) media monitoring and (B) media training in 2005–06.

Derek Twigg: The requested figures are set out as follows. However, records of costs from 1997–98 until 2001–02 are not readily available due to departmental and Agency re-organisations. Figures for 2005–06 are provisional outturn figures subject to audit.
	
		DfT Agencies
		
			 £000 (rounded) 
			  2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
		
		
			 Media monitoring 151 148 200 174 
			 Media training 31 53 97 16 
			 Marketing 11,096 16,807 14,496 13,740 
		
	
	
		DfT Central
		
			 £000 (rounded) 
			  2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
		
		
			 Media monitoring 210 206 205 306 
			 Media training 2 2 9 0 
			 Marketing 17,600 16,400 16,200 20,400 
		
	
	Marketing costs include campaign advertising and wider publicity.
	In each year reported, over 80 per cent. of DfT central's expenditure marketing expenditure was on the 'THINK! road safety' campaign.

Motorway Signage

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 1 March 2006, Official Report, column 730W, on motorway signage, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that information provided on variable message signs is current and accurate after functions are transferred to regional control centres.

Stephen Ladyman: The Highways Agency is responsible for about 2200 Variable Message Signs (VMS) on England's motorway and trunk road network.
	About 350 'information' VMS are located at key decision points (i.e. before major junctions). They are used to inform drivers about major incidents and advise diversion routes. These VMS are operated by the National Traffic Control Centre (NTCC) in Birmingham. The NTCC gathers information on conditions on the network from its control centre in Birmingham. This is a 24/7/365 operation.
	About 1850 'safety' VMS are located mostly on motorways to manage traffic locally in the event of incidents and emergencies, and to provide warnings of slow moving or stationary traffic in order to protect queuing traffic. Operation of these signs is currently transferring from the police to the Highways Agency's Regional Control Centres (RCCs).
	There are seven RCCs which monitor conditions on the motorway and trunk road network within their regions of England and allocate resources such as Traffic Officers to manage incidents. They set messages on VMS for safety reasons, to inform drivers and to assist with incident management. Incidents (and VMS settings) are monitored from control rooms and messages displayed on VMS are reviewed and removed as necessary. Currently only one RCC, the West Midlands RCC, is working at full capacity and it has an established system for monitoring consistency and timeliness of sign setting to support the Agency's goal of demonstrably improving the accuracy of VMS. The system involves checking timeliness of response both when incidents are identified and when cleared. Results are used to identify and implement improvements.

Noise Limits (Airports)

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the maximum (a) safe and (b) desirable limits on peak aircraft noise (Lmax dBA) for airports; and what the existing equivalent continuous noise level (Leq) limits are.

Derek Twigg: The Department for Transport has not made any general estimate of safe or desirable limits on peak aircraft noise for all airports.
	The departure noise limits at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, set by the Secretary of State, are 94 dBA Lmax between 0700 and 2300; 89 dBA between 2300 and 2330, and 0600 and 0700; and 87 dBA in the night quota period, 2330–0600. The noise limits relate to a fixed reference distance 6.5 km from start-of-roll. The full reasons for applying these limits are set out in the document 'Noise limits for aircraft departing from Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports: decision of December 2000' which is available in the House Library.
	At other airports noise management is the responsibility of the airport operator. All civil aircraft operating in the UK must comply with relevant international noise certification requirements.
	The Department for Transport has not set limits on equivalent continuous noise level (Leq). However, based on research, the Government use various levels of Leq as indicators of disturbance or of potential annoyance, or as criteria for mitigation measures, including advice for land use planning purposes. For example, the Government use 57 dBA Leq as the level of daytime noise marking the approximate onset of significant community annoyance.
	Daytime noise contour criteria for mitigation schemes were set out in the 'Future of Air Transport' White Paper. In particular, we expect operators of larger airports (those with over 50,000 air transport movements per year) to offer relocation assistance to households subject to daytime noise of more than 69 dBA Leq and to offer acoustic insulation to non-domestic noise-sensitive buildings, such as schools and hospitals, exposed to daytime noise levels of 63 dBA Leq or more.

Noise Limits (Airports)

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether (a) measurements of and (b) limits on peak aircraft noise (Lmax dBA) are in place for airports other than Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.

Derek Twigg: The Department for Transport does not collect comprehensive information about noise control measures at airports other than Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. However, existing practice at a number of larger airports is set out as follows:
	Manchester airport sets departure noise limits of 92 dBA Lmax in the day and 85 dBA Lmax at night (2300–0659).
	Birmingham international airport sets departure noise limits of 92 dBA Lmax in the day and 87 dBA Lmax at night (2330–0600).
	London Luton airport sets departure noise limits of 94 dBA in the day and 87 dBA at night (2330–0600 Monday to Saturday, 2330- 0700 Sunday).
	These noise limits apply at the noise monitors and departing aircraft are monitored against the relevant limit. Airports also have noise and track-keeping systems, which are required to assess breaches of departure noise limits, in place.

Noise Limits (Airports)

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans (a) to introduce new and (b) to change existing (i) measurements of and (ii) limits on peak aircraft noise (Lmax DBA) for airports.

Derek Twigg: The Government sets departure noise limits at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports which are designated for the purposes of section 78 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982. We will consider exercising similar powers at other airports if there is evidence that a major noise problem is not being dealt with adequately through local controls; otherwise, such limits are the responsibility of the airport operator.
	The present noise limits at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted have applied since early 2001 and have been subject to further review. The results were published in the Civil Aviation Authority's Environmental Research and Consultancy Department (ERCD) Report 0207, Departure Noise Limits and Monitoring Arrangements at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted Airports", in April 2003. The main findings were summarised in our April 2003 consultation paper on night flying restrictions, together with a broad indication of how we would take them into account. This has been taken forward in the Stage One and Stage Two consultation papers on night flying restrictions published in July 2004 and June 2005 respectively.
	In the Stage Two consultation, we proposed possible changes to the departure noise limit applying in the night shoulder periods (11 pm to 11.30 pm and 6 am to 7 am). We also proposed that two additional noise monitors should be sited at Heathrow. We will announce our conclusions in due course. Copies of all the consultation papers and of ERCD 0207 were placed in the House Library.

Crossrail

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether a cost analysis has been carried out for the use of the Old Oak Common Depot and the Ilford Depot as part of the Crossrail project.

Derek Twigg: Such cost analyses form part of the further study being undertaken regarding the depot strategy for Crossrail. The results will be made available before petitioners objecting to the proposed depot at Romford are due to be heard by the Select Committee.

Oyster Cards

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to give train operating companies who are not at the end of a franchise incentives to incorporate pre-pay Oyster cards.

Derek Twigg: The South Western franchise will require the successful bidder to accept Oyster, including pre-pay, in Zones 1–6 and to retail and enable an ITSO (Integrated Transport Smartcard Organisation) based smartcard throughout the franchise. We have made it clear that we will adopt this approach with each of the London train operating companies upon franchise renewal. This decision on technology has given a firm foundation from which train operators and suppliers can move forward.
	We do not believe that it should be necessary to wait for a full round of franchise renewals before Oyster pre-pay is generally accepted by Train Operator Companies in London. We believe that this clear policy will allow train operators to adopt Oyster pre-pay sooner rather than later and have asked the industry for their further proposals.

Press Offices

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent by (a) his Department and (b) its agencies on press offices in each year since 1997.

Derek Twigg: Records of costs from 1997–98 until 2001–02 are not readily available due to departmental and Agency re-organisations and the information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	Figures for 2005–06 are provisional outturn figures subject to audit.
	(a) The cost of DfT Central's press office (including pay and non-pay costs) for the years 2002–03 to 2005–06 is in the following table.
	
		£ million
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
		
		
			 DfT(C) Pay 0.85 0.70 0.70 0.77 
			 DfT(C) Non-pay 0.81 0.80 0.83 0.76 
		
	
	(b) Press office activities in most agencies are not carried out by staff or units solely dedicated to this purpose. Full records of costs are therefore not readily available for press office functions alone. However, agency press office function pay costs have been estimated for the years 2002–03 to 2005–06 in the following table.
	
		DfT agencies (£ millions)
		
			  
		
		
			 2002–03 0.49 
			 2003–04 0.54 
			 2004–05 0.62 
			 2005–06 0.70

Road Construction

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will make announcements on (a) the regional funding allocations and (b) new major schemes.

Stephen Ladyman: The Government are now considering the advice provided by the regions and will set out in due course how it will be utilised and developed upon in the comprehensive Spending Review. Decisions on new major schemes will be made as soon as possible within the context of the Government's overall response.

Road Pricing

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the costs have been of testing pay-as-you-go road pricing schemes.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department's DIRECTS (Demonstration of Interoperable Road-user End-to-end Charging and Telematics System) Project, which has just completed its 1-year trial in Leeds, has a current project value of £22.9 million. Within the project, three out of seven different On-Board Unit designs contained example pay-as-you-go solutions. The costs of this component of testing cannot be separated out from the total.

Seatbelts

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations his Department undertook between (a) 1976 and 1979 and (b) 1980 and 1986 on seatbelt wearing; if he will place in the Library the results of such consultations; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: Information is not readily available on consultations during these periods.

Severn River Crossings plc.

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in discussions with Severn River Crossings plc. on allowing credit card payments for Severn crossing tolls.

Stephen Ladyman: Discussions are continuing with Severn River Crossings plc. and financial institutions about the legislative, technical, operational and financial issues involved.

Utility Companies

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has undertaken into the scope for use of trenchless technology to reduce delays caused by utilities digging up roads.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department undertook some preliminary research into the use of trenchless technology in 2002, but no particular conclusions were reached and work has been halted.

Utility Companies

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has undertaken to identify best practice among utility companies in the use of trenchless technology.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department for Transport did some preliminary work in 2002 to identify best practice on the use of trenchless technology, but no further work has been done.

Vandalism (Railways)

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents of vandalism there have been in each year since 1997 on (a) trains, (b) stations, (c) railway tracks and (d) railway depots, broken down by police authority area.

Derek Twigg: This information requested has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Wellingborough-London

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward plans to increase capacity on the Wellingborough to London railway line.

Derek Twigg: The Midland Main Line & East Midlands Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) was published March 2004. Taking into account the proposed housing growth in the area, the Strategy's recommendations include running additional peak trains between London St. Pancras to Kettering as a better way of serving the North Northamptonshire to London market. The Department is developing the specification for the East Midlands franchise which will take account of the RUS's recommendations. A public consultation on the specification will be held this summer.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

Traditionally Male Careers

Jim Sheridan: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what discussions she has had with business organisations on encouraging school girls to consider careers in sectors which have until recently been seen as traditionally male.

Meg Munn: I have regular meetings with business organisations and use these opportunities to encourage them to work with their members to ensure that they do what they can to encourage girls to consider careers in non-traditional sectors.
	The recent Women and Work Commission report, Shaping a Fairer Future", identified the necessity of ensuring that girls and boys are not influenced by stereotypical ideas about occupations when considering their subject and career options. They recommend action to ensure that teacher training emphasises the need to challenge gender stereotypes, guidance to pre-school teachers about how to avoid gender stereotypes, and better careers guidance and work experience programmes which would enable girls to get a true picture of the rewards and challenges associated with different careers.
	The Commission will reconvene in early 2007 to consider the Government's response to their report.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Academies

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much her Department has spent to date to promote academies; and how many people are employed (a) in her Department and (b) as consultants for that purpose.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested in this question relating to costs of promotion is not held in a form that could be retrieved except at disproportionate cost—the term 'promotion' could be interpreted to mean any activity in relation to the Academies programme and the scope of the question covers the six years the programme has been operating.
	Within the Academies Group in the DfES there are as at today's date 81 staff and 19 consultants, these staff carry out a range of functions including policy, delivery, communications and educational support.

Bookstart

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what is the cost of Bookstart since the programme began; and how many books have been purchased so far under the scheme;
	(2)  how many books have been (a) delivered to and (b) collected by parents under the Bookstart scheme; and how many are awaiting collection.

Maria Eagle: holding answer 27 April 2006
	The cost of Bookstart since the programme began in 1992 is £20.72 million, of which £12.91 million is Government funding.
	Since 1999, the Bookstart programme has purchased 13.1 million books and given more than 11.6 million books to parents. The difference in these two figures represents a rolling level of stock across the UK. We cannot further break down these figures. Pre-1999 figures are not available.
	Each local authority conducts an end of year stocktake to estimate how much stock remains to be carried over to the next year. At the end of 2005–06, the estimated carry over figure was 130,000 or approximately 600 books per scheme.

British Edutrust Foundation

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what (a) meetings and (b) correspondence Ministers have had with the British Edutrust Foundation.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 24 April 2006
	Ministers have had no meetings or correspondence with the British Edutrust Foundation. Lord Adonis has met with Lord Bhatia, who is the recently appointed chair of the foundation, on a number of occasions as listed as follows:
	Friday 28 October 2005 at an academies event in Bradford with leaders of Bradford Council.
	Friday 11 November at Windsor Castle where Lord Adonis gave the key note speech at the British Muslim conference.
	Three meetings at the Department on Wednesday 23 November 2005, Thursday 15 December 2005 and Tuesday 24 January 2006

British Edutrust Foundation

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the decision was taken that Rhodesway school in Bradford would become an academy sponsored by the British Edutrust Foundation.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 24 April 2006
	Ministerial clearance was given on 16 March for the release of funding for the feasibility phase to enable the British Edutrust Foundation to develop plans to establish a new academy to meet the local learning needs in Rhodesway in Bradford.

Child Protection

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on what date she replied to the letter from Norfolk county council of 12 December 2005 regarding Paul Reeve.

Ruth Kelly: My Department received correspondence from Norfolk county council dated 21 December.2005 and acknowledged receipt, as requested, on 22 December 2005. My officials responded in full to Norfolk county council on 7 February 2006.

Departmental Advertising Costs

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much (a) her Department and (b) its agencies spent on advertising for job vacancies in each of the last five years.

Maria Eagle: holding answer 25 April 2006
	The information requested is not collected centrally in the format requested and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
	When the business needs of the Department require an external recruitment campaign each case is considered separately. External recruitment agencies, drawn from the Cabinet Office Central Framework Agreement, support delivery of all campaigns based on a set of agreed criteria.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children in Wirral, West have received the education maintenance allowance.

Maria Eagle: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council, who operate Education Maintenance Allowances for the DfES and hold the information about take-up of the scheme. Mark Haysom, the council's chief executive has written to the hon. Gentleman with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 25 April 2006
	I am writing in response to your parliamentary question that asked how many children in Wirral West have received Education Maintenance Allowance?"
	Information on the number of young people who have applied, enrolled and received EMA is available at local education authority (LEA) level, but not at constituency level. By the end of February 2006, 3,294 young people in the Wirral LEA area had received one or more EMA payments in the academic year 2005/06.
	I hope this information is helpful and addresses your question.

First Level 3

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many 19 to 25 year olds are studying for a first level 3 in (a) each region and (b) England.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 27 April 2006
	The following table shows the number of 19–25 year olds who were studying for a full NVQ level 3 or equivalent qualification 1 in Further Education and work based learning in the academic year 2004/05, by region.
	1 Does not include Access to HE qualifications or wholly privately funded study aims.
	
		
			 Region Full Level 3 learners 
		
		
			 North East 9,177 
			 North West 23,830 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 15,205 
			 East Midlands 13,603 
			 West Midlands 19,438 
			 East of England 12,556 
			 Greater London 12,687 
			 South East 20,753 
			 South West 16,942 
			 Address unknown 3,230 
			 England 147,421 
		
	
	Source:
	Individualised Learner Record, 2004/05
	We estimate that of the 147 thousand 19–25 year olds in England who were studying for a full level 3 in 2004/05, 70,000 were studying for a first full level 3 qualification. We do not have estimates for 'firstness' at a regional level.

Further/Higher Education

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of secondary school pupils went on to further or higher education in (a) Taunton constituency and (b) England in each year since 1997.

Bill Rammell: Figures on participation in further education by young people are not available for parliamentary constituencies, but are available for local authorities—including Somerset, 2004 is the latest available year. The figures are shown in the following table.
	
		Percentage of 16 year olds in full-time education
		
			  Somerset England 
		
		
			 1997 72 70 
			 1998 73 70 
			 1999 73 72 
			 2000 73 71 
			 2001 72 71 
			 2002 75 72 
			 2003 76 72 
			 2004 75 73 
		
	
	The latest available figures on participation in higher education by constituency were published by the Higher Education Funding Council for England in January 2005 in Young Participation in England", which is available from their website at: http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/2005/05_03/ This report shows participation rates for young people who enter higher education aged 18 or 19, disaggregated by constituency, for the years 1997 to 2000. The figures for Taunton, and the comparable figure for England, are shown in the following table. HEFCE have not produced participation figures beyond 2000.
	
		Young participation rate (YPR (A)) in higher education
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 
		
		
			 Year cohort aged 18 in Taunton 1,230 1,290 1,270 1,190 
			 Participation rate for Taunton(3)(percentage 36 35 29 35 
			 Participation rate for England (percentage) 29.2 28.8 29.2 29.9 
		
	
	(3) Participation rates for constituencies are reported to the nearest whole number.
	Source:
	Higher Education Funding Council for England.
	The total numbers of entrants from Taunton for each year since 2001/02 are given in the following table:
	
		Entrants to undergraduate courses from Taunton
		
			  2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 
		
		
			 Aged 18–19 480 490 460 495 
			 Aged over 19 540 535 585 610 
			 Total entrants 1,020 1,025 1,050 1,105 
		
	
	Note:
	Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 5, so components may not sum to totals
	Source:
	Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
	The Department uses the Higher Education Initial Participation Rate (HEIPR) to assess progress on increasing first-time participation of English students aged 18–30 in higher education towards 50 per cent.: the latest provisional figure for 2004/05 is 42 per cent. The HEIPR is not calculated at constituency level.

Headteachers (Age)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average age is of a head teacher in England.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 27 April 2006
	Provisional estimates show that in March 2003, the latest information available, the average age of full-time head teachers in maintained schools in England was 49.8 years.

Learning and Skills Council

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the funding for the Learning and Skills Council for adult learning was in (a) 2004–05, (b) 2005–06 and (c) 2006–07; and what factors she took into account when allocating funds.

Bill Rammell: The total overall spend on all adult programmes for 2004–05 was reported in the Learning and Skills Council's (LSC) Annual Report and Accounts as £2,999 million. Our planned funding for the LSC's major programmes only for adults for 2005–06 is £2,942 million and for 2006–07 is £2,946 million. Estimated spend on smaller programmes and experience of the previous two years suggests final funding for adults will be in the order of £3.2 billion each year. On 1 October 2005 the Government set out their priorities for post-16 education and training. This established our priorities for the learning and skills sector and the impact on funding in 2006–07 and 2007–08. While overall spend on adult learning will remain broadly constant the pattern of that learning will change. To meet our national priorities, we need to shift the pattern so that we provide a greater number of longer and more expensive courses for adults, to equip them with the range of skills they need for employability and further progression to higher levels of training. We have consistently said that public funding alone cannot and should not pay for all the training necessary in a competitive economy. To support this shift, there has to be a new balance of responsibilities between Government, employers and learners so we do not accept that withdrawal of LSC funding means that courses automatically have to close. Where provision is valued by learners, where it is high quality, and where learners and employers are prepared to pay more, we expect colleges to consider providing courses on a full-cost recovery basis.
	The Department's guidance to the LSC on the deployment of its funding allocations is outlined in the Secretary of State's annual grant letter to the LSC Chairman and for 2006 to 2008 in Priorities for Success the document that sets out our funding strategy for the next two years. This document is available on the LSC's website.

List 99

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people (a) are on List 99 and (b) have been added to the List in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: There were 4,045 people on list 99 when I made my first statement about arrangements for vetting those working with children on 19 January 2006. List 99 is continuously updated and the Department does not collect this data on an annual basis. The number added to the list in each of the last 5 years is as follows:
	
		
			  Number added to List 99 
		
		
			 2001 169 
			 2002 135 
			 2003 219 
			 2004 321 
			 2005 525

Newly Qualified Teachers

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average starting salary was for newly qualified teachers in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in Essex in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not available below Government office region level.
	The following table provides the average salary of newly qualified teachers in maintained nursery and primary and secondary schools in the East of England, 1995 to 2004, the latest information available.
	
		The average salary for newly qualified teachers(4) to full-time teaching in maintained nursery and primary and secondary schools in the East of England, March 1995 to 2004
		
			 Average salary (£) 
			  Nursery/Primary Secondary 
			  Actual Adjusted(5) Actual Adjusted(5) 
		
		
			 1995 13,140 16,560 13,300 16,770 
			 1996 13,660 16,740 13,930 17,070 
			 1997 14,210 16,830 14,600 17,280 
			 1998 14,680 16,880 15,010 17,260 
			 1999 15,290 17,130 15,600 17,490 
			 2000 15,800 17,360 16.170 17,770 
			 2001 16,310 17,690 16,710 18,130 
			 2002 17.570 18,600 17,980 19,040 
			 2003(6) 18,100 18,570 18,870 19,370 
			 2004(6) 18,630 18,630 19,490 19,490 
		
	
	(4) Includes new entrants to maintained schools in England, gaining qualified teacher status (QTS) in England and Wales during the calendar year before the year they are included. Those gaining QTS via employment based routes are excluded.
	(5) Figures adjusted to 2004 prices are based on Her Majesty's Treasury GDP deflators.
	(6) Provisional estimates.
	Note:
	Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	Database of Teacher Records

Official Visits

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the towns in (a) England and Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) the European Union that she has visited in an official capacity in each month since 1997; what the purpose was in each case; what the (i) date, (ii) time, (iii) location and (iv) duration was of each meeting; if she will place in the Library the text of any speech made; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only by incurring disproportionate cost.
	All ministerial visits are conducted in accordance with the 'Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers'. The Government publish on an annual basis, lists of overseas travel by Cabinet Ministers costing over £500 which will include visits to the European Union. Lists covering 1997 to 2005 are available in the Libraries of the House. Information for 2005–06 is currently being compiled and will be published when it is ready.

Parliamentary Questions

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make it her policy when placing material in the Library in response to a parliamentary question to supply a copy of the material to the hon. Member who tabled the question; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Government best practice is that departments should supply a copy of material placed in the Library in response to a parliamentary question to the hon. Member who tabled it.

School Visits

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools (a) Ministers and (b) officials in her Department have visited in each month since 1997; for what purposes in each case; if she will list the (i) date, (ii) time, (iii) location and (iv) duration of each meeting; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only by incurring disproportionate cost.

Special Needs (Funding)

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will set out the funding for (a) special schools and (b) children with special needs for each of the past five years and the forecast allocations for each of the next five years.

Maria Eagle: holding answer 27 April 2006
	Planned expenditure by local authorities in England on the provision of education for children with special educational needs and the funding available for delegation to special schools after provision has been made for retained items is included in the attached table. Forecast future allocations for special schools or for children with special educational needs are not available.
	
		The Education (Budget Statements) (England) Regulations; Budgeted net expenditure on the provision of education for children with special educational(7)(5509140008) needs since 2001–02; as reported by local authorities(9) as at 24 April 2006.
		
			 Cash terms(9)(£) 
			   Budgeted net expenditure on the provision of education for children with special educational needs(7)(5509140008) Of which: Individual schools budget (ISB) for special schools(10) 
		
		
			 2001–02 2,908,380,000 939,548,000 
			 2002–03 3,038,661,000 1,006,662,000 
			 2003–04 3,466,180,000 1,086,666,000 
			 2004–05 3,774,757,000 1,159,564,000 
			 2005–06 4,120,549,000 1,243,204,000 
		
	
	(7) Includes planned expenditure on the provision for pupils with statements and the provision for non-statemented pupils with SEN, support for inclusion, inter authority recoupment, fees for pupils at independent special schools and abroad, educational psychology service, local authority functions in relation to child protection, therapies and other health related services, parent partnership, guidance and information, the monitoring of SEN provision and inclusion administration, assessment and co-ordination. Also included is the funding delegated to nursery, primary and secondary schools identified as notional SEN" and the individual schools budget (ISB) for special schools.
	(8) Funding delegated to LA maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools are only indicative of the amount that might be spent by schools on SEN.
	(9) Figures are rounded to the nearest £1,000.
	(10) Within the schools budget, the amount available for delegation to special schools after provision has been made for retained items is known as the Individual Schools Budget (ISB). Consequently the ISB for special schools does not include any expenditure on special schools which is planned to be retained centrally by the local authority. The ISB for special schools will also include some general education costs for pupils with SEN in addition to those costs specifically for SEN.

Student Loans

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what proportion of outstanding student loans are in accounts where debt recovery is inactive (a) in total and (b) where no repayments have been made over the last three years; and what the total value of such loans is in each case.

Bill Rammell: Debt recovery is not inactive on any accounts; the Student Loans Company (SLC) take appropriate action to collect repayments on all accounts.
	There are 234,600 UK borrowers with a loan balance of £754 million with publicly-owned mortgage-style loans past the statutory repayment due date (SRDD) 1 who had made no repayments in the last three years (as at 31 March 2005). They represent 36 per cent. of borrowers who had loans past SRDD during the three-year period.
	93 per cent. of those who made no repayments were not required to repay for the whole three-year period, because their gross annual income was below the relevant earning threshold. The remainder were subject to the SLC arrears recovery process. This includes several attempts to contact the borrower by letter and telephone, and where necessary passing the case to SLC's internal specialist tracing or arrears collection agents.
	Ultimately the borrower may be contacted by an external debt collection agency and/or face legal action.
	Data is not yet available on income-contingent loans. Borrowers are not required to make repayments if they are earning less than £15,000 and when due these repayments are generally collected automatically through the tax system.
	1 Borrowers are not required to repay before they reach the SRDD, which is the April following graduation or otherwise leaving their course.

University Academic Staff

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average annual earnings were of full-time members of the academic staff of universities in (a) West Lancashire and (b) Lancashire in the last year for which figures are available.

Bill Rammell: The latest information, and the corresponding figures for all higher education institutions in England, is given in the following table.
	
		Average salary(11) of full-time HE academic staff with teaching responsibilities higher education institutions 2004/05
		
			 Average salary (£) 
			  West Lancashire(12) Lancashire(13) England 
		
		
			 Professors 45,800 56,100 59,100 
			 Senior Lecturers and Researchers 38,300 31,500 41,500 
			 Lecturers 31,800 30,600 33,000 
		
	
	(11) Average salary is derived from the gross basic salary per annum, in pounds sterling as stated in the contract at the reference date of HESA's staff count (July 31) or at the end date of the contract if earlier. It does not include any regular payments for additional duties, responsibility allowances or honoraria, regardless of their source. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100.
	(12) Includes Edge Hill College of HE.
	(13) Includes Edge Hill College of HE, St Martin's College, University of Bolton, University of Central Lancashire, and the University of Lancaster.
	Source:
	Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Home Working

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people in her Department have been enabled to work from home in each of the last three years; and if she will make a statement.

David Lammy: My Department has extended the option to work flexibly to all staff and aims to support them in balancing their work and home responsibilities. The Department is keen to see flexibility in working patterns being made available as widely as possible to enable staff to match their own needs with the requirements of the job.
	My Department only holds records of homeworkers who require IT equipment. There is no record of the amount of people who work from home on an ad hoc basis or those not requiring equipment. Following are the figures for the last three years
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2003–04 3 
			 2004–05 8 
			 2005–06 10

Olympic Delivery Authority

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Wales and (b) the Welsh Assembly Government on the appointment of members of the Olympic Delivery Authority; and what steps were taken to ensure representation on the authority from all parts of the UK.

Tessa Jowell: No specific discussions took place with (a) the Secretary of State for Wales or (b) the Welsh Assembly Government on the appointment of members of the Olympic Delivery Authority. In keeping with the provisions in the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006 the appointments were made by the Secretary of State after consultation with the Mayor of London.
	The role specification sought people from a variety of backgrounds with a combination of skills and experience. It did not seek individuals with specific representative functions in relation to constituent countries of the UK . The roles were advertised in the national press and the posts attracted over 450 applications from across the UK. All appointments were made on the basis of merit following a fair and open competition.

Olympic Delivery Authority

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the process was for recruitment and selection of the members of the Olympic Delivery Authority; and (a) when and (b) in what publications the positions were advertised.

Tessa Jowell: The recruitment process took full account of the Nolan principles, and the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice. It involved a number of formal steps, including the preparation of a role specification against which candidates would be considered, advertising in the national press and on the DCMS and Cabinet Office websites, and interview of selected candidates by a panel comprising Jack Lemley (chair of the ODA), a DCMS director, a representative from the Greater London Authority, and an OCPA approved independent assessor. Candidates were considered against the published criteria, and the selection panel made recommendations to the Secretary of State on whom to appoint. The Secretary of State, after consultation with the Mayor, has appointed 12 members who collectively most closely meet the needs of the board at this time.
	The positions were advertised in The Sunday Times on 11 December and in The Times Public Agenda on 13 December. The vacancies were also advertised on the Cabinet Office and DCMS websites.

Olympic Delivery Authority

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the (a) job description and (b) person specification was for members of the Olympic Delivery Authority.

Tessa Jowell: The full role specification for members of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) was published on the DCMS website until the closing date of 6 January 2006. I have arranged for copies to be deposited in the House Libraries.
	The role specification provided details of the role and skills required of ODA members. It explained that the role of the board was to work in partnership with the chief executive, David Higgins, and his staff, helping to set the overall direction, policy and plans of the authority, in accordance with the Olympic plans and its statutory duties, and to provide advice and support to the executive team in accordance with best governance practice and guidance. All board members were required to demonstrate commitment to public service values and the principles of public life (particularly integrity and probity), be respected by or have credibility with their peers, have significant experience of leadership, management and governance at board levels within the public, not for profit or private sector, and possess an understanding of the public policy context and the role of Government. In addition it was agreed that board members should have skills or experience in one or more of a number of other areas including construction and programme management, transport, regeneration, local government, community issues, finance, media and communications, disability issues, legal issues and human resources.

Olympic Delivery Authority

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what responsibilities the Olympic Delivery Authority has for (a) Olympic preparations, (b) venues and (c) events outside London and the South East of England.

Tessa Jowell: Under section 4(1) of the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) may take any action that it thinks necessary or expedient for the purpose of:
	(a) Preparing for the London Olympics
	(b) Making arrangements in preparation for or in connection with the use or management, before during or after the London Olympics, of premises and other facilities acquired, constructed or adapted in preparation for the London Olympics, or
	(c) Ensuring that adequate arrangements are made for the provision, management and control of facilities for transport in connection with the London Olympics.
	Under the Act the ODA can carry out these functions anywhere in the UK.
	The staging of Olympic events is the responsibility of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games Ltd. (LOCOG).

Windsor Castle

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many individuals were employed at Windsor Castle in 2005–06.

David Lammy: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport provides grant in aid funding for the maintenance of the occupied royal palaces in England. The grant in aid employed 40 staff at Windsor Castle in 2005–06. There are other staff who are employed by other funding sources, for which the Department is not responsible, and on which it therefore has no information.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Pension Supplement

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when a supplement to the basic pension for reaching the age of 80 years was first paid; and what its value would be if it had been increased in line with the retail price index.

Stephen Timms: The 25p a week addition to the State pension for recipients aged 80 or over was introduced in September 1971. It would now be worth £2.23 a week had it been uprated in line with the retail price index.
	Since winter 2003–04 eligible households with a person aged 80 or over are entitled to an additional annual winter fuel payment of £100.

Benefits

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how long a national from another EU member state needs to have been resident in the UK before being eligible to receive (a) housing benefit and (b) income support; and how long the residency periods will be after Directive 2004/38/EC comes into force;
	(2)  what effect Directive 2004/38/EC will have on the requirements that EU nationals need to meet in order to be considered habitually resident in the UK; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  pursuant to the answer of 18 January 2006, Official Report, column 1371W, on the Free Movement of Persons Directive, when the Government will issue regulations to ensure that Directive 2004/38/EC will not result in any significant additional costs for the UK social security system; and what these regulations will do.

James Plaskitt: Current housing benefit and income support regulations require that a person must have a right to reside and be habitually resident in the United Kingdom, The Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland (generally known as the Common Travel Area). If a person does not have a right to reside then they are not habitually resident and are not entitled to those benefits. A person who has a right to reside must also show that they are habitually resident in the Common Travel Area unless they fall into an exemption category such as EU workers. There is no set time limit for being habitually resident and each case is considered on its own merits and the claimant's individual circumstances.
	From 30 April 2006 persons who claim an income-related benefit including income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, state pension credit, housing benefit and council tax benefit will still be required to have a right to reside as well as being habitually resident in the Common Travel Area.
	The Social Security (Persons from Abroad) Regulations 2006 which come into force on that date will amend the 'right to reside' aspect of the test. This is to ensure economically inactive EU nationals who only have a right to reside under Directive 2004/38/EC for the first three months of their stay in the Common Travel Area, will not be entitled to those benefits. EU work seekers will have a right to reside and once they are habitually resident will be entitled to claim income-based jobseeker's allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit but they will not be able to claim income support or state pension credit. EU workers will have a right to reside and will continue to be exempt from the habitual residence test.

Benefits

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost of council tax benefit was in (a) England and (b) Wales in each year since 1997–98; and what the estimated costs are for (i) 2005–06 and (ii) 2006–07.

James Plaskitt: The information is in the tables.
	
		Council tax benefit expenditure, £ millions, nominal terms
		
			  England Wales 
		
		
			 1997–98 (outturn) 2,014 94 
			 1998–99 (outturn) 2,046 103 
			 1999–2000 (outturn) 2,096 108 
			 2000–01 (outturn) 2,146 119 
			 2001–02 (outturn) 2,246 124 
			 2002–03 (outturn) 2,381 131 
			 2003–04 (outturn) 2,744 145 
			 2004–05 (estimated outturn) 3,037 160 
			 2005–06 (estimated outturn) 3,247 172 
			 2006–07 (plans) 3,386 184 
		
	
	
		Council tax benefit expenditure, £ millions, real terms (2006–07 prices)
		
			  England Wales 
		
		
			 1997–98 (outturn) 2,416 113 
			 1998–99 (outturn) 2,393 121 
			 1999–2000 (outturn) 2,404 124 
			 2000–01 (outturn) 2,429 135 
			 2001–02 (outturn) 2,482 137 
			 2002–03 (outturn) 2,550 140 
			 2003–04 (outturn) 2,863 151 
			 2004–05 (estimated outturn) 3,100 163 
			 2005–06 (estimated outturn) 3,247 172 
			 2006–07 (plans) 3,386 184 
		
	
	Source:
	DWP expenditure tables (table 8), consistent with Budget Report 2006.
	The DWP expenditure tables can be viewed on the DWP website at the following address:
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/expenditure.asp

Benefits

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the take-up rate of council tax benefit was amongst pensioners in (a) 1996–97 and (b) the latest year for which figures are available.

James Plaskitt: The latest available information is in Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take Up in 2003–04", a copy of which is in the Library.

Benefits

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will amend housing benefit policy so as to make it possible for a non-dependent sibling of a landlord to claim housing benefit in circumstances where there is a genuine tenancy and rental income is required; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will take steps to make it possible for housing benefit to be paid to those living in a home with relatives in certain circumstances.

James Plaskitt: There are no plans to amend the provisions for people who live with close relatives. Where a person lives with their landlord who is a close relative, such as a brother and sister, they are treated as not liable to make rental payments because there is usually no intention to create a legally enforceable liability in such circumstances. The tenant is typically making a contribution towards the general costs of the household of which they form a part without a genuine rental liability.

Benefits

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what improvements he is making in the administration of housing benefit.

James Plaskitt: In 2002, we put in place a comprehensive strategy for reform of housing benefit, with the first priority being to improve administration across the board. We have already made significant progress with the average time taken by local authorities to process new claims having improved by over two weeks.
	We have introduced a number of simplification measures to reduce complexity in the housing benefit rules, and provided investment, to help authorities make improvements in the administration of housing benefit. We are also piloting the new local housing allowance in 18 local authorities and the green paper, A New Deal For Welfare: Empowering People to Work", sets out our intention to extend the scheme across the private rented sector.

Child Support Agency

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what response his Department makes to an individual's claim that levels of household debt is a reason for lack of co-operation with the Child Support Agency.

James Plaskitt: There are provisions which may allow the Agency to take account of debts which were incurred during a relationship when making a maintenance assessment. However, levels of household debt are not a reason for lack of co-operation with the Child Support Agency. The Government are of the view that parents' prime financial responsibility is to maintain their children.

Fraud investigation

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much fraud investigators recovered for his Department in each of the last five years.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 10 March 2006
	It is not possible to separate the total amount of overpaid benefit recovered into overpayments due to fraud and those due to other reasons.

Income Support

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what reports he has received on the restoration of the full rate of income support to young people under 25 years; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: Since income support was introduced in 1988, a single person aged 18 to 24 has been paid at a lower rate than single people aged 25 and over. It would be a new initiative and not a restoration to pay single customers aged 18 to 24 at the same rate as single customers aged 25 and over.
	I am not aware of any reports that have been produced that give consideration to payment of the full rate of income support to single young people under the age of 25.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many jobseeker's allowance applications have taken (a) more than 12 days, (b) more than 18 days, (c) more than 24 days and (d) more than 48 days to process in the last month for which information is available; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many Jobseeker's Allowance applicants have taken (a) more than 12 days, (b) more than 18 days, (c) more than 24 days and (d) more than 48 days to process in the last month for which information is available; and if he will make a statement. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The information you have asked for is not available. Jobcentre Plus measures the time taken to process a claim for Jobseeker's Allowance as the Actual Average Clearance Time. This is measured against a Key Management Indicator which is agreed at the beginning of each year. For 2005/06, this was set at 12 working days. Latest figures show that for the year to February 2006 claims were processed in an average of 14.3 working days.
	Jobcentre Plus is transforming the service it provides by making it available via the telephone, via the Internet and through the personal service offered to people in Jobcentre Plus offices. With change on this scale there can be difficulties at the beginning and, as a consequence, average clearance times have increased. This is clearly causing unacceptable delays for customers and we have taken action to address the delays.
	On 30 January we launched a National Action Plan designed to reduce clearance times. The plan requires that:
	all delivery units work through a Health Check and address the areas where they are under-performing;
	senior managers regularly review and address poor performance; and
	delivery units performing below the required level develop a recovery plan to improve performance.
	Senior Operational Managers were required to provide a formal assurance at the end of February that all elements of the plan are being complied with, although it has been acknowledged that concentration on backlogs of work may initially cause average clearance times to rise. The Chief Operating Officer is monitoring performance very closely.
	In order to focus management attention on this issue, the Actual Average Clearance Times measure, which will remain at 12 days for Jobseeker's Allowance claims, has been added to the suite of Jobcentre Plus Targets for 2006/07.
	I hope this is helpful.

Occupational Pensions

Sandra Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he plans to publish his response to the Parliamentary Commissioner's report on the security of final salary occupational pensions.

Stephen Timms: In the oral statement made by my right hon. Friend Secretary of State on 16 March he undertook to publish a full response to the Ombudsman's report, including an explanation of the Government's estimate of the cost of implementing the Ombudsman's proposals.
	We expect to publish that response shortly.

Pension Credit

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost of administering the pension credit was in each of the last seven financial years; and what estimate he has made of the administration costs in 2006–07.

Stephen Timms: Information is available only for the year to March 2005. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 22 March 2006, Official Report, column 411W.
	The Department does not estimate its future administration costs on the basis of individual benefits and allowances.

Pensioner Poverty

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners were living in poverty in (a) 1997 and (b) according to the most recent data available.

Stephen Timms: The seventh annual 'Opportunity for all' report (Cm 6673) sets out the Government's strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion and reports progress against a range of indicators.
	The following tables show the number and percentage of people over State pension age living in households in relative and absolute low income. These show that based on income measured after housing costs the number of pensioners in relative low income has fallen by one million between 1996–97 and 2004–05—there was a fall of half a million between 2002–03 and 2004–05, the years when pension credit came into effect.
	
		Relative low income, i.e. based on contemporary income thresholds
		
			  After housing costs Before housing costs 
			  Number (million) Percentage Number (million) Percentage 
		
		
			 1996–97 2.8 28 2.2 22 
			 2004–05 1.8 17 2.0 19 
		
	
	
		Absolute low income, i.e. based on 1996–97 income thresholds held constant in real terms
		
			  After housing costs Before housing costs 
			  Number (million) Percentage Number (million) Percentage 
		
		
			 1996–97 2.8 28 2.2 22 
			 2004–05 0.7 7 1.0 10 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are for Great Britain;
	2. Results from Households Below Average Incomes publication.
	3. Figures show the number and proportion of pensioners in households below 60 per cent. of median net income (after direct taxes including council tax).

Post Office Card Account

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Scotland use a Post Office card account to receive their pension, broken down by (a) local authority and (b) constituency.

James Plaskitt: The following tables show the number of state pension payment accounts being paid into a Post Office card account in Scotland broken down by (a) local authority and (b) constituency.
	(a) State pension accounts broken down by local authority.
	
		
			 Local authority State pension accounts 
		
		
			 Aberdeen City 6,400 
			 Aberdeenshire 9,100 
			 Angus 3,500 
			 Argyll and Bute 3,600 
			 Scottish Borders The 4,400 
			 Clackmannanshire 1,600 
			 West Dunbartonshire 3,500 
			 Dumfries and Galloway 7,200 
			 Dundee City 5,200 
			 East Ayrshire 5,700 
			 East Dunbartonshire 2,500 
			 East Lothian 3,500 
			 East Renfrewshire 2,300 
			 Edinburgh City of 11,500 
			 Falkirk 5,500 
			 Fife 12,800 
			 Glasgow City 25,100 
			 Highland 8,800 
			 Inverclyde 3,600 
			 Midlothian 2,500 
			 Moray 3,600 
			 North Ayrshire 5,900 
			 North Lanarkshire 15,200 
			 Orkney Islands 1,000 
			 Perth and Kinross 4,800 
			 Renfrewshire 7,000 
			 Shetland Islands 700 
			 South Ayrshire 5,100 
			 South Lanarkshire 11,600 
			 Stirling 3,100 
			 West Lothian 4,700 
			 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar 1,700 
		
	
	(b) State pensions accounts broken down by parliamentary constituency.
	
		
			 Parliamentary constituency State pension accounts 
		
		
			 Aberdeen, North 3,200 
			 Aberdeen, South 2,600 
			 Airdrie and Shotts 4,100 
			 Angus 2,700 
			 Argyll and Bute 3,600 
			 Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock 4,800 
			 Banff and Buchan 4,500 
			 Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk 3,700 
			 Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross 2,900 
			 Central Ayrshire 3,700 
			 Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill 4,400 
			 Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch, East 3,000 
			 Dumfries and Galloway 4,600 
			 Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale 3,900 
			 Dundee, East 2,800 
			 Dundee, West 3,300 
			 Dunfermline and West Fife 3,000 
			 East Dunbartonshire 1,500 
			 East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow 3,400 
			 East Lothian 3,500 
			 East Renfrewshire 2,300 
			 Edinburgh, East 2,700 
			 Edinburgh, North and Leith 1,900 
			 Edinburgh, South 1,800 
			 Edinburgh, South-West 2,400 
			 Edinburgh, West 2,600 
			 Falkirk 3,700 
			 Glasgow, Central 2,900 
			 Glasgow, East 4,600 
			 Glasgow, North 2,000 
			 Glasgow, North-East 5,000 
			 Glasgow, North-West 3,700 
			 Glasgow, South 3,000 
			 Glasgow, South-West 3,900 
			 Glenrothes 3,600 
			 Gordon 2,700 
			 Inverclyde 3,600 
			 Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey 3,100 
			 Kilmarnock and Loudoun 4,000 
			 Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath 3,400 
			 Lanark and Hamilton, East 3,300 
			 Linlithgow and East Falkirk 3,700 
			 Livingston 2,800 
			 Midlothian 2,500 
			 Moray 3,600 
			 Motherwell and Wishaw 4,700 
			 Na h-Eileanan an Iar 1,700 
			 North Ayrshire and Arran 4,200 
			 North-East Fife 2,900 
			 Ochil and South Perthshire 3,300 
			 Orkney and Shetland 1,700 
			 Paisley and Renfrewshire, North 3,400 
			 Paisley and Renfrewshire, South 3,600 
			 Perth and North Perthshire 3,100 
			 Ross, Skye and Lochaber 2,800 
			 Rutherglen and Hamilton, West 4,400 
			 Stirling 3,100 
			 West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine 2,600 
			 West Dunbartonshire 3,500 
		
	
	Notes:
	Figures are based on information available at 18 February 2006 and are rounded to the nearest 100.
	Figures refer to accounts live and in payment on the specified date.

Post Office Card Account

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to encourage financial institutions to enable those using the Post Office card account to transfer to bank accounts with the facility to allow cash withdrawals at post office branches.

James Plaskitt: There are already some 25 bank and building society accounts which can be used at post offices, and we hope there could be more in the future. I would encourage the remaining big banks to respond positively to the overtures from Post Office Ltd to make their current accounts accessible at post office branches.
	Post Office Ltd. itself has already introduced one new savings account, and is developing other savings and banking products which are likely to be more attractive to many of its customers than the current Post Office card account.
	We want people to continue to access their cash at the post office by using a bank account there or new post office products. We are working with Post Office Ltd to develop a joint strategy to move customers from the Post Office card account and with the best interests of our joint customers in mind.

Post Office Card Account

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether employees of the Pensions Service are telephoning pensioners to persuade them to cease using their Post Office card accounts.

James Plaskitt: No, employees of the Pension Service are not telephoning pensioners to dissuade them from using their Post Office card accounts.

Spending Review (Efficiency Targets)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what baseline figures he is using for assessing progress on his Department's targets to (a) modernise transactional processes, (b) make savings in procurement processes and (c) modernise and streamline back office functions of finance and human resources shared service functions; what progress has been made towards these targets to date; and what the total efficiency savings achieved to date are for these targets.

James Plaskitt: The target for financial savings from the Department in the Spending Review 2004 was not linked directly to particular functional groups but rather illustrated categories of activity that would be planned to contribute to the total from changes planned in the Department. Based on our current planning assumptions, we expect that just under one half of our financial savings will come from improvements in transactional processing, around one quarter will come from the direct payment of benefits to customers, over one quarter of savings will come from improvements in central services and around one tenth from improved value for money in procurement. These assumptions are subject to change as plans develop to ensure that we maintain and improve customer services and achieve our PSA and efficiency targets.
	Total efficiency savings made by DWP in 2004–05 are estimated at some £300 million.
	These early savings are an encouraging indication of DWPs ability to meet the efficiency target set for the department in the 2004 Spending Review (being £962 million of annual efficiency savings by 2007–08 against our spending in 2003–04).

Sure Start

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many women have received a Sure Start maternity grant in (a) England and (b) the Wakefield district in each of the last two years; and what plans he has to extend provision.

James Plaskitt: The information requested is in the table.
	
		Number of Sure Start maternity grant awards
		
			  Great Britain Wakefield Jobcentre Plus District 
		
		
			 2004–05 235,920 1,510 
			 2005–06 237,510 1,600 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are for all awards, irrespective of whether the award was made to the mother or her partner.
	2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System.
	We have no plans to widen eligibility beyond the current qualifying benefits.
	Following the Court of Appeal judgment in the Francis case" however, we are looking to change the legislation to allow payments to people who have been awarded residence orders in certain specified circumstances.
	For any claims made prior to the legislative change, decision makers and appeal tribunals may consider whether the circumstances around any case are the same as in the Court of Appeal case.

Sure Start to Later Life

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects the pilots for A Sure Start to Later Life to be under way.

Stephen Timms: We announced in Opportunity Age" our intention to pilot a LinkAge Plus service, providing a fully integrated service for older people. The Social Exclusion Unit Report 'A Sure Start to Later Life' also proposed a new approach to delivering services to and for older people, building on the principles of the Sure Start model for children and families, LinkAge Plus will deliver this service.
	This programme will test ways of delivering fully integrated services for older people—from employment, health and benefits to leisure and learning. This will involve working with older people to identify effective models that meet their needs and aspirations and involving them in the design.
	The programme plans to run up to eight pilots in England and a number of local authorities are currently helping us to develop the 'LinkAge Plus' concept further and advise on how it can be delivered practically on the ground.
	Final announcements on the programme will be made shortly, including details of final pilot selection. We anticipate that the first pilot will start in July this year.

Turner Commission

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the Turner Commission recommendation for mandatory employer pension contributions.

Stephen Timms: We have been examining all the recommendations made by the Pensions Commission in detail, including this one. In looking at this option we are considering carefully the relationship between an employer's pension contributions and levels of scheme membership and of course are taking account of possible impacts on business and on the labour market. The Pensions White Paper is due to be published in the next couple of months, and it will set out our proposals for pension reform in full.

Workstep Programme

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many places are available through the Workstep programme; how many people were referred to the programme in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement on future plans for the programme.

Anne McGuire: The Workstep (including Remploy) programme provides around 30,000 places. In the year ending December 2005, 9,841 individuals were referred to the programme.
	The Welfare Reform Green Paper A new deal for welfare: Empowering people to work" announced the review of specialist employment programmes for disabled people, including Workstep, and the intention to consult on our proposals later in the year.
	Separately on 16 March, the Government announced a review of Remploy Ltd in the context of the Government's strategy for supporting greater numbers of disabled people into employment.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Company Law Reform Bill

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has had discussions with the Corporate Responsibility Coalition on the Company Law Reform Bill; and if he will make a statement.

Alun Michael: holding answer 2 May 2006
	I have met the Corporate Responsibility Coalition to discuss the Company Law Reform Bill on two occasions since the publication of the Company Law Reform White Paper in March 2005. DTI officials have also had a number of discussions with the Corporate Responsibility Coalition as part of the ongoing consultation with interested parties on the Company Law Reform Bill.

Company Law Reform Bill

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made on replacing Part 31 of the Company Law Reform Bill.

Alun Michael: holding answer 2 May 2006
	My noble Friend the Minister for Science and Innovation set out the Government's intentions for replacing Part 31 of the Company Law Reform Bill in another place on 30 March 2006. He announced that, the Government will take specific powers in clearly defined areas, in particular capital maintenance, company charges, and reporting and accounting provisions.

Import Revenues

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what revenue was raised from imports into the UK in (a) 2004 and (b) 2005 of (i) rice—combined nomenclature code 1006, (ii) bananas—combined nomenclature code 0803, (iii) citrus fruit—combined nomenclature code 0805 and (iv) olive oil—combined nomenclature code 1509.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	The customs duty declared in respect of imports into the UK of these commodities was as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 Rice (1006)  
			 2004 10,894,782.71 
			 2005 8,601,615.21 
			   
			 Bananas (0803)  
			 2004 17,177.058.03 
			 2005 19,017,454.50 
			   
			 Citrus fruit (0805)  
			 2004 7,988,416.48 
			 2005 7,338,083.55 
			   
			 Olive oil (1509)  
			 2004 82,304.11 
			 2005 104,175.98 
		
	
	In addition VAT of £4,302.77 was paid on olive oil importations in 2004 and £24,958.84 in 2005.
	This information does not take into account any adjustments to the data provided on declarations after importation.

National Minimum Wage

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much his Department spent on advertising in the press and radio on the question of the national minimum wage in (a) 2005 and (b) 2004.

Alun Michael: DTI spent the following on National Minimum Wage (NMW) press advertising via the Central Office of Information:
	
		
			  £ (excl VAT) 
		
		
			 2005 357,300 
			 2004 352,996 
		
	
	In addition DTI spent £20,000 in both 2004 and 2005 (excl VAT) via Citizens Advice Northern Ireland on NMW press advertising in Northern Ireland.
	There was no NMW radio advertising carried out in either year.

Post Office Card Account

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the revenue for post offices from (a) Post Office card account transactions and (b) bank account transactions.

Barry Gardiner: Revenue received by Post Office Ltd. for managing Post Office card account and bank account transactions are the subject of commercially confidential contracts with DWP and individual banks.

Public Procurement Procedures

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to his Answer of 1 February 2006, Official Report, columns 547–8W, on European public procurement law, what changes the two new European Commission public procurement directives made to public procurement procedures in the UK; and what estimate his Department has made of the financial effects on small and medium-sized enterprises of these changes.

Alun Michael: holding answer 2 May 2006
	The new procurement directives, simplify, clarify and modernise public procurement procedures. These were implemented in the United Kingdom on 31 January 2006. There are new provisions on framework agreements, competitive dialogue for complex procurements, central purchasing bodies and electronic procurement methods such as e-auctions and dynamic purchasing systems.
	The directives allow contracts to be reserved for supported factories and businesses, and provide greater clarity on the extent to which social and environmental issues can be incorporated into procurements. There is also a requirement for the mandatory exclusion of companies that have been convicted of offences related to fraud and corruption. The rules applying to purchases by utilities now incorporate an exclusion mechanism where a sector is subject to normal competition.
	Concerning the effects on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the new directives, and the regulations that implement them, apply rules directly to purchasers rather than to suppliers. There are, therefore, no compliance costs to business from these new rules. The new procurement methods that the rules provide for, including electronic systems, together with the simpler and clearer rules generally, reduce the burdens of the procurement process and should encourage suppliers, including SMEs, to participate in public procurement opportunities either directly or as sub contractor.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Electoral Registration (Advertising)

Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission whether he has measured the effects of the Electoral Commission's advertising campaign to raise electoral registration levels.

Bridget Prentice: I have been asked to reply
	, as my hon. Friend tabled this question to my Department, and its transfer to the Speaker's Committee was notified as a result of an administrative error.
	My Department has not measured the effects of the Electoral Commission's advertising campaigns. However, the Electoral Commission does undertake evaluation of its campaigns.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Alcohol-free Zones

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effect on antisocial behaviour of alcohol-free zones in towns.

Hazel Blears: Designated public place orders (DPPO) are an opportunity for alcohol free zones to be adopted according to local authority assessment of alcohol related crime and disorder on public highways or in parks. The use of a DPPO tends to be part of a wider local strategy to tackle antisocial behaviour and drink related disorder. Therefore, to evaluate the effectiveness of DPPOs on their own would not be practical.

Anti-Semitic Incidents

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-Semitic incidents were reported in Greater Manchester in 2005.

Paul Goggins: This information is not collected centrally. However, we understand from the Anti-Semitic Incidents Report 2005 by the Community Security Trust that
	'...Of the 455 incidents reported in the UK to the Community Security Trust in 2005, 132 (29 per cent.) were in Greater Manchester..'

Business Crime Partnerships

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to add to the offences covered by business crime partnerships.

Hazel Blears: We take crimes against business very seriously, and are determined to tackle these crimes which can cause so much damage to the economic and social fabric of our communities.
	Although business crime partnerships are voluntary groups and therefore independent of Government, we recognise the very real part they have to play in preventing and reducing crime.
	The Home Office has supported the work of the British Retail Consortium in developing in developing business crime reduction partnerships, and has provided over £900,000 of funding for them to set up and run the Action Against Business Crime (AABC) Group. This Group provides central co-ordination and support for a national network of business crime reduction partnerships in town centres, shopping centres and industrial estates across England and Wales in their work to prevent business crime.

Child Protection

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that detained children within families about whom there are child protection concerns are not removed from the UK until those concerns have been satisfactorily resolved.

Fiona Mactaggart: We take the issue of child protection very seriously and we make every effort not to place children at risk. Where there are child protection concerns within a family whom we intend to remove, we would not remove a child with the potentially abusive family member(s). Instead will liaise with the authorities in the receiving country to see if other appropriate care arrangements can be made and to ensure that the appropriate Social Services are aware of any concerns in a particular case.
	All operational and case working staff involved in the family removal process have been advised that if an officer suspects at any time that a child is or has been the victim of abuse, the police must be alerted immediately. In such cases where a police investigation is ongoing, removal may be stayed pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings.

Crime (Peterborough)

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what assistance is being given to Cambridgeshire Constabulary to tackle incidents of youth crime and antisocial behaviour in Peterborough constituency; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what progress is being made with the Government's Respect Agenda in the Peterborough constituency; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: Peterborough is one of 50 Action Areas in the country where the local authority, police and other agencies have agreed to provide a high level response to tackling antisocial behaviour.
	Peterborough Youth Offending Service works closely with Cambridgeshire Constabulary on a range of strategies and partnerships to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour by young people. These include the Prolific and Priority Offender (PPO) Strategy, joint work to reduce vehicle crime and criminal damage by young people, Safer School Partnerships (police in schools), and the monitoring of high risk young people on community sentences. In addition, Peterborough Youth Offending Service is working with the police on a Knife Amnesty and Weapons Awareness Week (w/c 20 May) in support of the National Knife Amnesty.
	The Police have made effective use of dispersal powers to tackle youth crime and have used these most recently in the Gladstone Street area of the town. Police will use these powers to move people on from this area when they are behaving in an antisocial way. In all cases of youth disorder the young person will be referred to an antisocial behaviour support worker, which will ensure that young people are provided with both support and enforcement to tackle and change bad behaviour.
	The Respect Action Plan is central to the Government's drive to go broader, deeper and further on antisocial behaviour by tackling its root causes; preventing it occurring in the first place for example by ensuring better parenting provision, while not letting up on stopping antisocial behaviour that blights many communities. The Respect Task Force is currently working with all Action Areas on ensuring they understand their new enhanced responsibilities in delivering the Respect Action Plan. Key partners from Peterborough will be invited to attend the forthcoming Respect Academies to hear more about how the Action Plan can best be implemented.

Criminal Justice and Court Services Act

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why section 53 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (a) has not been implemented and (b) has been superseded by schedule 8 to the Criminal Justice Act 2003.

Fiona Mactaggart: Section 53 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Services Act 2000 introduced new provisions for dealing with the breach of various community orders. It was repealed under the Criminal Justice Act 2003, which introduced a new sentencing framework including a single community order for adults, to replace all previous individual community sentences, and a new suspended sentence order. This meant that the section 53 regime was no longer appropriate. However, elements of it are incorporated in the enforcement provisions for these new sentences, including statutory warnings for failures to comply with the requirements of the sentence and the presumption of imprisonment for breach of a suspended sentence order.

Data Protection

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the guidelines ensuring co-operation between the UK Information Commissioner and the European Data Protection Supervisor on information obtained from (a) EURODAC and (b) the Schengen Information System.

Harriet Harman: I have been asked to reply.
	At present, guidelines ensuring co-operation do not exist. The UK Information Commissioner, together with his counterparts in other EU member states, is currently working with the European Data Protection Supervisor to make checks on the processing of personal data in the Eurodac system.
	The European Data Protection Supervisor does not have a formal role in data protection supervision in the Schengen Information System. The relevant supervisory arrangements for the central system are set out in the Schengen convention and are carried out by a Joint Supervisory Authority.

Disabled People

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress his Department has made in promoting the rights of disabled people under its statutory duty to do so as a public body.

Paul Goggins: The Home Office is currently developing its Disability Equality Scheme in accordance with responsibilities conferred by the Disability Discrimination Act 2005. The scheme is being developed by a team consisting of diversity policy leads across the core Home Office group as well as members of the Disability Rights Commission and the Home Office Disability Support Network. Collectively they will see how work on Disability Equality Schemes can be embedded into Home Office business priorities. The Home Office has published a series of Disability Awareness Guides to promote the use of reasonable adjustments and the needs of disabled people in the workplace.

Domestic Violence

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the range of activities covered by the Best Value Performance Indicator that local authorities need to undertake successfully to address domestic violence.

Hazel Blears: To highlight the need for sustained local authority action, and demonstrating that domestic violence is not an issue for the criminal justice system alone, in 2005 a revised Best Value Performance Indicator for domestic violence was published. This indicator is owned by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
	BV 225 aims to assess the overall provision and effectiveness of local authority services designed to help victims of domestic violence and prevent further domestic violence.
	The indicator covers metropolitan authorities, London boroughs, unitary authorities, district councils, council of the Isles of Scilly and the common council of the City of London. The indicator is measured as a percentage score of the number of questions to which a local authority can answer 'yes':
	1. Has the local authority produced a directory of local services that can help victims of domestic violence?
	2. Is there within the local authority area a minimum of one refuge place per 10,000 population?
	3. Does the local authority employ directly or fund a voluntary sector-based domestic violence co-ordinator? (For district councils of fewer than 35,000 households, the responsibility for co-ordinating domestic violence can be designated within the job description of an existing senior officer. For district councils that contribute to a county-wide co-ordinator, see the BVPI definition).
	4. Has the local authority produced and adopted a multi-agency strategy to tackle domestic violence developed in partnership with other agencies?
	5. Does the local authority support and facilitate a local multi-agency domestic violence forum that meets at least four times a year?
	6. Has the local authority developed an information-sharing protocol and had it agreed between key statutory partners?
	7. Has the local authority developed, launched and promoted a 'sanctuary' type scheme to enable victims and their children to remain in their own home, where they choose to do so and where safety can be guaranteed? (For smaller district authorities, of fewer than 35,000 households this can be arranged in partnership with neighbouring authorities).
	8. Has there been a reduction in the percentage of cases accepted as homeless due to domestic violence that had previously been re-housed in the last two years by that local authority as a result of domestic violence?
	9. Does the council's tenancy agreement have a specific clause stating that perpetration of domestic violence by a tenant can be considered grounds for eviction? (For local authorities that have transferred their housing stock, the clause should be contained in the LSVT organisations' tenancy agreement).
	10. Has the local authority funded and developed a domestic violence education pack in consultation with the wider domestic violence forum?
	11. Has the local authority carried out a programme of multi-agency training in the last 12 months covering front-line and managerial staff in at least two of the following groups: housing staff, social services staff providing services in the local authority area; education staff; health staff; and front-line police officers.

Drugs Liaison Officers

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many overseas drugs liaison officers are employed in each country in Latin America; and what the cost was in 2004–05;
	(2)  what quantity of cocaine seizures were attributable to the work of overseas drugs liaison officers in Latin America in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what the street value was in each year.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	I cannot give details of the numbers and cost of drugs liaison officers deployed overseas as to do so would prejudice international relations, jeopardise current operations and put the officers and their families at risk.
	Cocaine seizures attributable to the work of drugs liaison officers based in South and Central America and the Caribbean are estimated to be 95 tonnes in 2003–04 and 46 tonnes in 2004–05, with a potential street value in the United Kingdom of £5.2 billion and £2.3 billion respectively. Figures for seizures in other years and confined to posts in states included in the definition of Latin America would be available only at disproportionate cost.

Female Murders

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women were killed by a current or former male partner in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Hazel Blears: The latest available information on homicide is published in Home Office Statistical Bulletin number 02–06, 'Violent Crime Overview, Homicide and Gun Crime 2004/2005'. Table 2.05 provides data on victims killed by their partner/ex-partner by victim gender.
	The specific information data can be extracted from the Homicide Index and are given in the following table.
	
		Homicides currently recorded In England and Wales where principal suspect is male partner or ex-partner of female victim, 1995 to 2004–05
		
			  Number of victims 
		
		
			 1995 93 
			 1996 94 
			 1997 98 
			 1997–98 99 
			 1998–99 76 
			 1999–2000 88 
			 2000–01 99 
			 2001–02 115 
			 2002–03 105 
			 2003–04 93 
			 2004–05 101 
		
	
	Note:
	As at 28 November 2005; figures are revised as cases are dealt with by the police and by the courts, or as further information becomes available.

Firearms

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many converted firearms have been used in criminal acts where a shot has been fired in the last five years.

Hazel Blears: Statistics for crimes involving certain converted weapons have only been collected separately since April 2004. There were six offences where 'converted air pistols' or 'converted imitation handguns' were fired.
	In these offences a converted weapon was specified as a weapon type. It is likely that some other offences involved converted weapons being fired, but the weapon type would have been specified differently, handgun for example.

Gun Crime

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many gun crimes have been committed in the past 5 years using .22 calibre sports pistols.

Hazel Blears: Crimes involving this type of handgun cannot be identified from data collected centrally.

Handgun Legislation (Olympics)

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice has been given by the police to his Department in relation to a possible relaxation to the handgun legislation for Olympic target shooters.

Hazel Blears: We liaise closely with the police in relation to the arrangements needed to allow pistol shooting disciplines to take place at major international events held or to be held in this country including the Olympic games. No specific advice has been given by the police as regards a possible relaxation to the handgun legislation for Olympic target shooters.

Home Detention Curfews

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department within what time period the Parole Board is required to reconsider its decision to refuse a Home Detention Curfew (a) when the Prison Ombudsman has asked a prison for an urgent review of the decision; and (b) what action can be taken when the Board does not meet the deadline.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Parole Board has no involvement in Home Detention Curfew (HDC) decisions. The decision rests in the vast majority of cases with the relevant prison taking into account the views of other relevant agencies. If the Ombudsman makes a recommendation to review an HDC decision I would expect the review to take place as quickly as possible; taking into account the need to re-assess the risk posed by the individual prisoner, and the need to protect the public.

Homeless People (Arrests)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many homeless people have been arrested in each of the last eight years.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information requested is not available centrally.

Immigration Detention (Children)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce a statutory time limit for the detention of children.

Fiona Mactaggart: Regulations made by the Home Secretary under section 22 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 set custody time limits that restrict the period during which a defendant (including a defendant under 18) who is remanded in custody awaiting trial may be held in custody.

Immigration Detention (Children)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will ensure that welfare assessments for children who are detained are carried out after (a) seven and (b) 21 days;
	(2)  if he will ensure that welfare assessments of detained children are undertaken by independent welfare panels.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Youth Justice Board's National Standards for Youth Justice Services, issued in 2004, specify how welfare assessments are to be carried out., An initial medical assessment of the young person is undertaken on arrival. This is conducted by a qualified nurse or doctor and looks at vulnerability (i.e. risk of self-harm or suicide), as well as any mental health needs and any substance abuse issues.
	The National Standards stipulate that a full assessment of the detained young person will be carried out within 10 working days. The full assessment covers the health, social, educational, vocational and any other needs of the young person. After assessment, each young person is to be given a comprehensive induction to the establishment and be allocated a key worker, case worker or case manager.
	The National Standards are currently being updated by the Youth Justice Board.

International Arrest Warrants

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received documentary evidence from the Israeli Government on potential changes to UK law on international arrest warrants.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Home Office has received written representations from the Israeli Government on the issue of arrest warrants in international cases.

Mobile Telephones

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of the level of mobile telephone theft in each year since 2001;
	(2)  how many people have been successfully prosecuted for the false reporting of mobile telephone theft in the last 12 months for which figures are available;
	(3)  how many successful prosecutions there have been in relation to the re-programming of mobile telephones in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Hazel Blears: Assessing the true level of mobile phone theft and the false reporting of such theft is not straightforward. This is because these are not distinct offence categories. Rather they are subsumed under broader headings such as 'theft' or 'wasting police time'. As a consequence, specific figures for mobile phone theft and successful prosecutions for false reporting are not held centrally.
	In 2001 the Government invested in, and published, a major study of mobile phone theft (Harrington and Mayhew, 2001). Drawing on the British crime survey and youth surveys, the study estimated 710,000 mobile phones were stolen in 2000–01.
	The British crime survey (BCS) routinely collects information which assesses the rate of theft among adult mobile phone users. According to the latest published figures, based on the 2002–03 BCS 6.9 per cent. of adult mobile phone users had experienced a theft in the previous 12 months. Younger people, those from a black and minority ethnic background, and those living in areas of high deprivation were significantly more likely to have their mobile phones stolen.

Parole Boards

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what complaints his Department has received from (a) individuals and (b) groups regarding the decisions of parole boards in each of the last five years.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information requested is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Party Wall Act

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been prosecuted under the Party Wall Act 1996 in each year since 1997.

Fiona Mactaggart: Data from the Court Proceedings Database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform shows that since 1997, one person was prosecuted in 1999, and one person was prosecuted in 2004 under the Party Wall Act 1996. Statistics for 2005 will be available in the autumn of 2006.

Police

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on police community support officers.

Hazel Blears: We do not track and compile all correspondence on this subject. A number of bodies replied last summer to our public consultation on proposals to establish a standard set of powers. Our response was published on the Home Office website on 18 January at:
	www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/cons-cso-powers-310805
	Correspondence both then and over the autumn with the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Association of Police Authorities concerned funding for community support officers. More recently, this has been raised again in the light of the Budget Statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Police

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full-time police officers there were as at 1 April 2006 in the (a) Northern, (b) Central and (c) Southern Division Basic Command Units of the Cambridgeshire Constabulary; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The latest available information is as at 31 March 2005. Part-time figures for BCUs are not collected centrally. As at 31 March 2005, there were 1,392 full-time police officers and 40 part-time police officers in Cambridgeshire Constabulary.

Pornography

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the National Federation of Retail Newsagents on the selling of pornographic magazines and newspapers and ways of avoiding the (a) sale and (b) availability of such material to children.

Paul Goggins: My officials, together with officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department of Trade and Industry met representatives of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents and representatives of magazine and newspaper trade organisations on 8 March to discuss the sale, display and placement of publications featuring sexual material and to emphasise the need to safeguard the interests of children.
	As a result of these discussions, the NFRN have agreed to highlight the importance of this issue by putting out further advice to newsagents which includes guidance about the sale and display of 'top shelf' adult material as well as advice about the appropriate placement and display of other publications containing some sexual material.

Prison Education

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate he has made of the number of hours of education undertaken by each prisoner in Young Offender Institutions per week.

Fiona Mactaggart: Provisional data for 200506 show the average number of hours of education (not including Physical Education) undertaken by prisoners held in young offender institutions to be 7.6 hours per prisoner per week. The equivalent data for the small number of female young offenders are not available.

Prisons

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding was made available for staff education and development in prisons in (a) 200304, (b) 200405 and (c) 200506; how much is planned for 200607; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: In 200304 the identifiable staff training and development costs were 24.3 million, in 200405, 23.5 million and in 200506 37.4 million. The latter figure includes 11.2 million for training in the new Phoenix accounting scheme. A significant amount of local training is carried out at individual prison establishments and could be identified only at disproportionate cost.
	The total forecast training activity costs for 200607 are not yet available, as the detailed budget figures have not yet been finalised.

Prisons

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will initiate comprehensive ethnic and religious monitoring across the prison estate.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Public Sector Prison Service routinely collects data on the ethnicity and religion of prisoners. It also collects data on the ethnicity, but not the religion, of staff.
	In accordance with the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, ethnic monitoring data is used to monitor the impact of a range of policies and practices on prisoners, and of a range of employment functions on staff.

Prisons

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women are in prison for non-violent offences; and how many were sentenced for each type of such offence.

Fiona Mactaggart: Information on the current female population serving sentences in prisons in England and Wales by offence type is contained in Table 2 of the February 2006 population in custody monthly tables available on the Home Office website. Out of 3,460 serving a custodial sentence, 2,494 were for non-violent offence types. These comprise all offence types except those categorised as violence against the person and robbery.

Prisons

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of prisoners in England and Wales are serving sentences of fewer than 12 months.

Fiona Mactaggart: Information on the population serving sentences of less than 12 months in prisons in England and Wales is contained in Table 1 of the February 2006 population in custody monthly tables. The proportion of prisoners among the sentenced population serving sentences of less than 12 months was 13 per cent. A copy of this publication is available at the following web-site: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/omcs.html.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) complaints, (b) investigations and (c) disciplinary actions were dealt with by governors at each London prison relating to (i) prison support staff, (ii) prison officers and (iii) prison governors in each of the last five years for which figures are available; what the average length of investigation was, broken down by grade; what proportion resulted in disciplinary action being taken, broken down by grade; and what disciplinary actions were taken, broken down by grade.

Fiona Mactaggart: The level of detail required by the hon. Member could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the statistical correlation between participation in education in custody and rates of reoffending upon release.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Research, Development and Statistics unit in the National Offender Management Service is conducting a reconviction analysis based on information collected in three resettlement surveys undertaken in 2001, 2003 and 2004. In these surveys prisoners nearing discharge were asked about their basic skills, education, training, employment, accommodation and drug use before prison, as well as on interventions they had received in prison and their family ties. The surveys were representative of prisoners nearing release in England and Wales. Reconviction details for the offenders in the surveys have been obtained from Police National Computer data. There are nearly 5,000 cases in the final dataset.
	The main objective of the analysis is to increase understanding of links between resettlement factors (including education in custody) and reconviction, and to support future work on the effectiveness of measures to reduce re-offending.
	A report on the reconviction analysis will be published.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many investigations have been conducted into governors at each London prison in each of the last five years; what allegations have caused the investigations to be launched; what proportion of investigations concluded have recommended disciplinary action; what disciplinary action was taken in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information is as follows
	Disciplinary investigations in London prisons between 2002 and 2006 to date
	Belmarsh
	2002: One investigation into alleged assault.
	2004: Two investigations into allegations of racism, and racism and bullying. None of the investigations recommended disciplinary action.
	Brixton
	2004: One investigation into illegal planting of listening device. Disciplinary action recommended but charge dismissed at hearing.
	Feltham
	2005: One investigation into ABH. The case was referred to the police and the governor grade resigned following criminal conviction.
	Holloway
	2006: Ongoing investigation into racial harassment. It would not be appropriate to comment further.
	Latchmere House
	Nil.
	Pentonville
	2002: One investigation into discrimination. The complaint was withdrawn and no action taken.
	2003: One investigation into harassment, advice and guidance was recommended and given.
	2005: One investigation into poor performance of duties, advice and guidance was recommended and given.
	2006: One investigation ongoing into being unfit for duty.
	Wandsworth
	2004: One investigation into poor performance of duties, advice and guidance recommended and given. One investigation into inappropriate behaviour, no action recommended.
	2005: One investigation into inappropriate behaviour, no action was recommended. One investigation into poor performance of duties, advice and guidance was recommended and given. One investigation into harassment, advice and guidance was recommended and given.
	Wormwood Scrubs
	Nil.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the report of the Schito inquiry into the allocation of places at HM Prison Wandsworth.

Fiona Mactaggart: This was a disciplinary investigation and the information obtained was for the specific purpose of informing internal disciplinary processes. It will not be published.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the report of the recent performance testing exercise at HM Prison Wandsworth.

Fiona Mactaggart: The service level review carried out for the performance test of Wandsworth prison is an internal management tool produced for the London Area Manager. The Regional Offender Manager for London now independently monitors the service level agreement. There are no plans to publish the report.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) director of personnel, (b) director of finance, (c) doctor, (d) pharmacist, (e) pharmacy technician, (f) training manager and (g) chaplain posts in the Prison Service have been advertised in each of the last 12 months; in which (i) publications and (ii) professional journals the posts were advertised; how many applications were received for each post; and what proportion of (A) applicants, (B) those interviewed and (C) those appointed were from each ethnic group.

Fiona Mactaggart: Responsibility for recruitment into the public sector Prison Service is devolved to local areas and detailed records are not maintained centrally. Ethnicity information is collated for diversity monitoring and is included in the table. Information on total posts advertised or where they were advertised is not available but total numbers recruited have been provided. The outstanding information is not collated centrally could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		HM Prison Service in England and Walesrecruitment in the last 12 months
		
			 Post Staff recruited Average number of applicants per post Proportion of applicants recorded as black and minority ethnic (BME) (percentage) Proportion of applicants offered an interview recorded as BME (percentage) Proportion of successful applicants recorded as BME (percentage) 
		
		
			 Director of Personnel (14) (14) (14) (14) (14) 
			 Director of Finance (14) (14) (14) (14) (14) 
			 Doctor 0 
			 Pharmacist 7 4.0 29 22 17 
			 Pharmacy Technician 14 3.3 38 33 31 
			 Training Manager (14) (14) (14) (14) (14) 
			 Chaplain 31 4.7 54 46 39 
		
	
	(14) Not a recognised grade and therefore not recorded in this way.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what action he is taking to avoid duplication of management roles by way of the operation of prison clusters;
	(2)  what proportion of staff were appointed to their preferred role as part of the Prison Service's Sheppey Improvement Team project;
	(3)  what the cost of the work of the Prison Service's Sheppey Improvement Team was; and what defined output improvements were delivered.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Prison Service will consider clustering prison establishments, where doing so will achieve more effective and efficient performance within that group of establishments. A review of management roles and responsibilities is key to avoiding duplication, and is a significant aspect of the clustering process and essential to realising benefits.
	Of the 796 staff who were asked to express a preference:
	75 per cent. got their preference;
	12 per cent. did not respond;
	13 per cent. were placed into posts.
	The cost of the Sheppey Improvement Team was 296,741. This is the cost of the central team and does not include the cost of the contributions from other groups in the Prison Service.
	The proposals approved by the evaluation team demonstrate value for money, more constructive activities and improved resettlement opportunities for prisoners. The process will deliver improvements in several measurable indicators including key performance targets and compliance with standards.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the operational reasons were in each case for governors at HM Prison Wandsworth to travel to (a) Japan, (b) Australia and (c) Antigua to escort repatriated prisoners back to the United Kingdom in the last 12 months;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the cost of (a) prison officers and (b) governor grades travelling to (i) Japan, (ii) Australia and (iii) Antigua to escort repatriated prisoners back to the United Kingdom in the last 12 months.

Fiona Mactaggart: No operational managers (governor grades) have escorted repatriated prisoners to any country in the last 12 months. The costs, excluding air fares, of the prison officers undertaking escorts of repatriated prisoners to the countries in question is as follows: Japan0, Antigua20,202, Australia8,466.63. These figures include salary costs.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Prison Service Violence Reduction Strategy.

Fiona Mactaggart: The national Violence Reduction Strategy was launched in May 2004. The national strategy requires each establishment to have in place a local Violence Reduction Strategy appropriate to needs. A whole prison approach is encouraged, with the aim of reducing violence and fear of violence. A focus on personal safety, supporting victims, and repairing the physical and emotional harm caused by violence or abuse, links closely with the suicide prevention strategy.
	Prisons are audited against Prison Service Standard 53, Violence Reduction, which identifies strengths and areas for improvement at each establishment. This evidence suggests that many establishments have implemented thorough local strategies, which were formulated with the close involvement of focus groups of staff and prisoners. A revised violence reduction strategy is planned for 2007 to reflect expected learning from the forthcoming report of the inquiry into the death of Zahid Mubarek and from a recent research study, which was undertaken to identify good practice in implementing the violence reduction strategy in the first year. There has also been an operational review of violence reduction, many of the recommendations from which have already been adopted in prisons.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will extend the Goods Again project at HM Prison Onley to other establishments.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Goods Again project, which involves a partnership between the community sector, Onley prison and the local authority to provide an electrical goods re-use service, is still in its infancy. As the scheme progresses and develops, consideration will be given to whether it is possible and appropriate to expand its use to other prisons and areas.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason juveniles are being detained at HM Prison Woodhill; what facilities are designated for juveniles being detained there; what plans he has to move juvenile detainees from HM Prison Woodhill; and when he plans to complete those moves.

Fiona Mactaggart: Three juveniles are detained at Woodhill because of the security risk they present. The Youth Justice Board, is currently satisfied with the arrangements in place.
	The juveniles are in a self-contained wing in single rooms. They are permitted their own clothing, association, they attend education and gymnasium and have access to work, a radio, CDs and a games console. Subject to behaviour, a television is provided. They are able to have regular social visits, and access to the telephone.
	An alternative suitable location which offers an appropriate level of security is being sought.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on implementation of anti-bullying procedures at HM Prison Woodhill.

Fiona Mactaggart: A Violence Reduction Strategy is in place at Woodhill which incorporates an anti-bullying management process. A Safer Custody Coordinator has been appointed. Staff are encouraged to complete Security Information Reports to enable analysis of bullying at Woodhill and thereby help to direct resources and interventions to address bullying.
	Bullying is known to be more prevalent among young offenders at Woodhill. Action taken to reduce bullying among this group includes:
	An anti-bullying course has been developed specifically for young offenders at the prison to raise awareness of bullying issues, and to encourage young offenders to address their behaviour. To date, 106 young offenders have attended the course;
	Development of an anti-bullying video with Stantonbury Campus aimed at highlighting bullying in prisons to encourage prisoners to change their behaviour;
	Staff training to raise awareness of bullying issues and to enable staff to deliver the anti-bullying course to prisoners;
	Team building morning held to develop relationships between prisoners on the young offender unit;
	Young offenders have their own dedicated gym session to address the problem of bullying in the showers.
	The work with young offenders will be extended to the adult population.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to improve the relationship between staff and inmates at HM Prison Leeds.

Fiona Mactaggart: Measures to improve staff prisoner relationships have been agreed as part of an establishment performance improvement plan and work is being undertaken by the head of prisoner services and the decency team to ensure that staff engage appropriately with prisoners. Work is also ongoing to develop request and complaints processes to ensure that both staff and prisoners have confidence in the system.
	The prison service director of operations and area manager have agreed to a reduction of 104 in the operational capacity (from 1,254 down to 1,150). Despite this significant reduction the same resources have been maintained to facilitate staff in improving staff prisoner relationships at Leeds.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the use of the special cell at HM Prison Leeds.

Fiona Mactaggart: Following HM Chief Inspector of Prison's inspection, the special cell is only used where full relocation is necessary for violent and/or refractory prisoners. Each usage is authorised by a governor and a quality assurance checklist has been implemented. Guidance ensures that all paperwork explains why the special accommodation has been used and that this is never to be used solely for preventing self- harm. Regular contact with the prisoner takes place, at no more than 15-minute intervals, with staff/prisoner interactions recorded in the unit log sheet.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to improve the physical working conditions for staff at prisons.

Fiona Mactaggart: Prison management have an obligation to ensure that all staff work in a safe and clean environment. As part of the strategic development of the prison estate, the National Offender Management Service will improve, where possible, those facilities used by staff as well as by prisoners.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the cost will be of the Prison Service's listen to improve scheme;
	(2)  what budget is available for the development of local people plans at (a) each prison and (b) Prison Service headquarters; and what mechanisms are in place to ensure (i) efficiency, (ii) effectiveness and (iii) value for money;
	(3)  how participants in the Prison Service's People Strategy will be selected;
	(4)  if he will make a statement on the launch of the Prison Service's People Strategy.

Fiona Mactaggart: The public sector Prison Service launched its People Strategy in January 2006. The People Strategy will be delivered locally through Local People Plans developed from Listen to Improve groups. These are staff consultation and involvement groups to gather staff views on what should be addressed in the Local People Plan, with staff volunteering to take part. The direct costs of facilitating the Listen to Improve groups were 140,500 in 200506 and are forecast to be 222,000 in 200607. A breakdown of full costs, by prison establishment, could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Implementation of the People Strategy is overseen by a programme board and subject to regular review by the Prison Service's Change Management Board.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the job evaluation scheme for the Prison Service in the eastern region.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Prison Service is currently developing a new job evaluation system (JES) to cover the majority of its directly employed staff. As part of this process, a pilot exercise has been run in the service's eastern region, which involved interviewing a representative sample of about 100 postholders. The results of these interviews are currently being analysed and will inform the future development of the JES. The work on JES is an essential building block in the service's strategy for pay and workforce reform.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Prison Service's deaths in custody initiative.

Fiona Mactaggart: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 15 March 2006, Official Report, column 231314W and on 29 March 2006, Official Report, column 103839W.

Prisons

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 20 April 2006, Official Report, column 256, on access to drugs in prison, what steps are being taken to combat access to illegal drugs in prisons.

Fiona Mactaggart: A comprehensive range of measures is in place to reduce the supply of drugs into prisons. It includes:
	passive and active drug dogs;
	closed circuit television systems and fixed and low-level furniture in social visits area;
	closed visits and visit bans on visitors suspected of smuggling drugs;
	sharing of intelligence with police about drug routes into prisons;
	the use of the Supply Reduction Good Practice Guide;
	mandatory drug testing;
	local searching strategies; and
	deployment of mobile phone detectors and analysis of recovered phones for intelligence purposes.
	Since 199697 the level of prison drug misuse as measured by the random mandatory drug testing programme has fallen by more than 50 per cent.

Racially Motivated Crime (Statistics)

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the scale was of the inaccuracies in the racially motivated crime statistics that caused them to be withdrawn; what the cause of the error was; and when corrected statistics will be published.

Hazel Blears: The publication of 'Statistics on Race and the Criminal Justice System' published on Thursday 30 March 2006 was withdrawn following the identification of apparent errors for four police forces areas (Hertfordshire, North Yorkshire, Dorset and Nottinghamshire) in Table 3.1 covering racially-motivated offences reported to the police.
	These errors were caused by amendments from Hertfordshire, North Yorkshire and Dorset which had been notified to the Home Office having not being included in the final published document. No error had been notified for Nottinghamshire.
	Officials are now checking all the figures included in this publication with the police and other agencies before the publication will be reissued.

Respect Task Force

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time employees work in his Department's Respect Task Force.

Hazel Blears: There are 28 full-time employees and three part-time employees currently working in the Respect Task Force.

Segregation Units (Prisons)

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of the review of segregation units in prisons.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Prison Service is currently undertaking a review of the segregation performance standard and the segregation policies set out in Prison Service Order 1700. It is anticipated that the review will be completed in March 2007.

Sex Offender Vetting

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the proposals to develop a new vetting and barring scheme will include provisions to bar those on the sex offenders register from holding office (a) as a local councillor and (b) on a police authority; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: I have been asked to reply 
	as my Department has responsibility for the new vetting and barring scheme, under which people will be barred where they present a risk of harm either to children and/or vulnerable adults, including due to inclusion on the sex offenders register. Depending on the risk they present, people will be barred from working closely with either children and/or vulnerable adults which would include caring for, training or supervising children or vulnerable adults, working in establishments that children or vulnerable adults use (such as schools and care homes) or holding positions of authority in relation to children or vulnerable adults (such as local councillors with responsibilities in relation to children's or adults' services).
	My Department does not have responsibility for the vetting procedures for local councillors or for employment with the police authorities, this lies with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Home Office respectively.

Sheppey Offender Management Pilot

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Sheppey Offender Management Pilot.

Fiona Mactaggart: The three prisons on the Isle of Sheppey have been conducting a small scale pilot of the National Offender Management Model since 7 November 2005. 183 prisoners were involved in the pilot between seven November 2005 and 31 March 2006. The aim of the pilot is to put into practice the national offender management model, part of which deals specifically with the identified necessary interventions required for the individual offenders. The results of the pilot are currently being evaluated. The sentence plan which outlines the interventions is owned by the community based offender manager and delivered by the custody based offender supervisor.

Swinfen Hall

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of inmates at HM YOI Swinfen Hall had access to first night procedures in each year since 1997.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information is not available in the form requested. In general, all prisoners received into Swinfen Hall are provided with access to first night procedures, and have been since 1997, though the nature of these arrangements has changed and been developed over this period.

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will withdraw the UK's Reservation to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Fiona Mactaggart: The UK retains two reservations from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The first of these relates to mixing of children and adults and states:
	Where at any time there is a lack of suitable accommodation or adequate facilities for a particular individual in any institution in which young offenders are detained, or where the mixing of adults and children is deemed to be mutually beneficial, the United Kingdom reserves the right not to apply article 37(c) in so far as those provisions require children who are detained to be accommodated separately from adults.
	The second reservation refers to Immigration and Nationality and states:
	UK reserves the right to apply such legislation, in so far as it relates to the entry into, stay in and departure from the UK of those who do not have the right under the law of the UK to enter and remain in the UK, and to the acquisition and possession of citizenship.
	UK law honours the spirit of the Convention in relation to the standards of care and treatment available to children in the UK, including asylum-seeking children. We believe it is necessary to retain this reservation because it preserves the integrity of our immigration laws. The UK has entered other, similar reservations in respect of other human rights instruments. We are satisfied that asylum-seeking children in the UK receive adequate care, protection and support.
	Regarding children mixing with adults: we have made great progress in achieving separation of under and over-18s in custody, for example by placing girls under 17 in non-prison service accommodation and by providing new, special units for 17 year old girls. We will therefore be considering whether there is a continuing need for the Reservation against Article 37(c) of the Convention; and this review is due to begin shortly.

CABINET OFFICE

Departmental Websites

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list (a) the websites operated by his Department, including the Cabinet Office and (b) the reports placed on the internet in March 2006, indicating in each case whether paper copies were also made available.

Jim Murphy: The websites operated by the Department are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Website URL 
		
		
			 Cabinet Office www.cabinet-office.gov.uk 
			 Chartermark www.chartermark.gov.uk 
			 Infosec www.seriousaboutinfosec.gov.uk 
			 Better Regulation Submissions www.betterregulation.gov.uk 
			 Prime Minister's Strategy Unit www.strategy.gov.uk 
			 Government Communication Network www.comms.gov.uk 
			 Chief Information Officers Council www.cio.gov.uk 
			 UK Resilience www.ukresilience.info 
			 Preparing for Emergencies www.preparingforemergencies.gov.uk 
			 Emergency Planning College www.epcollege.gov.uk 
			 National Steering Committee on Warning and Informing the Public www.nscwip.info 
			 Civil Service www.civilservice.gov.uk 
			 Civil Service Pensions www.civilservice-pensions.gov.uk 
			 Civil Service Diversity www.diversity-whatworks.gov.uk 
			 Civil Service Recruitment Gateway www.careers.civil-service.gov.uk 
			 Faststream www.faststream.gov.uk 
			 Diversity Faststream www.diversity.faststream.gov.uk 
			 European Faststream www.european.faststream.gov.uk 
			 Interchange www.interchange.gov.uk 
			 EU Careers www.eu-careers-gateway.gov.uk 
			 Civil Service Jobs www.servicewide.civil-service.gov.uk 
			 Public Appointments Unit www.publicappointments.gov.uk 
			 Public Service Leaders Scheme www.publicserviceleadersscheme.gov.uk 
			 Civil Service Payclub www.civil-service.net 
			 UK Honours www.honours.gov.uk 
			 GovTalk www.govtalk.gov.uk 
			 Civil Service Appeal Board www.civilserviceappealboard.gov.uk 
			 Civil Service Commissioners www.civilservicecommissioners.gov.uk 
			 House of Lords Appointments Commission www.lords-appointments.gov.uk 
			 Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments www.ocpa.gov.uk 
			 Committee on Standards in Public Life www.public-standards.gov.uk 
			 Better Regulation Commission www.brc.gov.uk 
			 The Equalities Review www.theequalitiesreview.org.uk 
		
	
	The following reports were published by the Cabinet Office in March 2006.
	Cabinet OfficeRace Equality Scheme
	Cabinet OfficeCustomer-focused Leadership Learning Resources
	Cabinet OfficeLocal Elections in England in 2006: Guidance for Civil Servants on Conduct
	UK ResilienceProtecting Against Terrorism: Guidance for Businesses from the Security ServiceThis is not a Cabinet Office document, but we advised on some of the content.
	UK ResilienceHurricanes Katrina and Rita: a Perspective
	Better Regulation ExecutiveMaking a Difference: Safe and Secure Data Sharing Between Health and Adult Social Care Staff
	Better Regulation ExecutiveConsent Regimes: Reducing Unnecessary Bureaucracy
	Chief Information Officers CouncilTransformational Government Implementation planA two page summary was made available in paper version.
	Committee on Standards in Public LifeAnnual Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life 2005A paper version was made available.
	Equalities ReviewInterim ReportA paper version was made available, including a large print version.
	Except where indicated, paper copies were not made available. But the reports were published on the internet in print-friendly PDF format and, in most cases, the relevant section of the Cabinet Office will provide paper copies on request.

Equal Pay

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps are being taken by the Government to close the gender pay gap in the Civil Service.

Jim Murphy: The Government recognise that it is good employer practice to ensure that pay and conditions of service are fair and free from any form of gender bias. It demonstrated its commitment to addressing the gender pay gap by requiring every department and agency to undertake an equal pay review and prepare an action plan in 2003.
	Cabinet Office encourages departments to monitor progress against their action plans and review their pay systems following implementation of annual pay awards. Departments should also carry out full equality proofing of their reward policies every three years. Where there is evidence of pay inequalities, departments are expected to address the inequalities in an appropriate manner.
	The Cabinet Office also undertook an equal pay review for the Senior Civil Service (SCS) in 2002 which has been re-examined each year since then as part of the Government's evidence to the Senior Salaries Review Body.
	The Government are committed to ensuring that pay systems in the public sector are fair and non discriminatory, reflecting the contribution of the individual.

Ministerial Travel

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister without Portfolio what mileage was undertaken in February by the car allocated to the Minister Without Portfolio.

Ian McCartney: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 29 March 2006, Official Report, column 1032W.

Office of Public Service Reform

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the changes in Government policy that resulted from recommendations of the Office of Public Service Reform.

Jim Murphy: The Office of Public Service Reform (OPSR) initiated a wide range of public service improvement work, relating in particular to customer focus, much of which is now being used in Departments. More specifically OPSR was responsible for:
	Developing public service reform strategy (the Prime Minister's Four Principles of Reform and People at the Heart of Public Services)
	Identifying the main generic factors that determine peoples' satisfaction with public services (eg, delivery, timeliness, information, professionalism, and staff attitude)
	Developing a range of service delivery performance improvement methodologies for departments (eg, delivery landscape reviews, end-to-end delivery chain reviews, agency review)
	Developing Charter Mark as a cutting edge of customer service practice
	Developing Government policy on inspection of public services.
	Promoting the development of more systematic pay and work force strategies and stronger leadership to reinforce user focus.

Parliamentary Accountability

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will set out the steps he takes to ensure parliamentary accountability for his actions.

Ian McCartney: In accordance with the requirements of the Ministerial Code, it is for Ministers in charge of Departments to answer questions on the work of their Departments. In line with the practices of previous administrations, I do not have a slot on the rota for oral questions as I am not in charge of a Department.
	Written questions which are relevant to my ministerial responsibilities are for me to answer in the normal way.

Parliamentary Questions

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister without Portfolio for what reasons written parliamentary questions tabled to him by the hon. Member for Lewes on 22 March were answered by the Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office.

Ian McCartney: This was due to an administrative error.
	I have written to the hon. Member today to apologise for the error and the Official Reporter will be asked to correct the Official Report.

Parliamentary Questions

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on his practices in respect of written parliamentary questions tabled to him for answer.

Ian McCartney: I respond to written parliamentary questions in accordance with the requirements of the Ministerial Code.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Arson

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total number of arson attacks was for the 100 (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in Northern Ireland with the (i) highest and (ii) lowest percentage of children receiving free school meals in each of the past 10 years.

Angela Smith: The information on the number of arson attacks in schools refer to those with the highest and lowest percentages of pupils with free school meal entitlement. This was used instead of pupils receiving free school meals, as entitlement is a better measure of need. The information on the number of arson attacks in the past 10 years is not available. The Education and Library Boards have provided the following information for maintained and controlled schools for the years 200203 to 200506.
	
		Percentage
		
			  200203 200304 200405 200506 
			  High Low High Low High Low High Low 
		
		
			 Primary 3 0 1 0 1 1 3 0 
			 Post Prim 4 2 5 5 2 0 4 1 
		
	
	The information for voluntary grammar and grant maintained integrated schools in the form requested is not readily available and is being requested. I will write to you with the information as soon as possible.

Average Annual Industrial Wages

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the ratio was of average annual industrial wage levels to average terrace house prices in Northern Ireland between 1995 and 2005.

David Hanson: There is no official estimate available for the average sale price of terrace properties in Northern Ireland during this period. Published figures on the sale price of new terrace properties (including town houses) are provided in Table 1.
	The average gross annual earnings 1 in Northern Ireland for all employees (i.e. full and part-time) working in the manufacturing sector according to the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) are provided in Table 2.
	
		Table 1
		
			  Average sale price of new terrace properties (000) 
		
		
			 199596 51 
			 199697 53 
			 199798 64 
			 199899 84 
			 19992000 72 
			 200001 81 
			 200102 92 
			 200203 103 
			 200304 106 
			 200405 117 
		
	
	
		Table 2
		
			  Mean gross annual earnings in the NI Manufacturing Sector (000(15)) 
		
		
			 1995 n/a(17) 
			 1996 n/a(17) 
			 1997 14.7 
			 1998 15.7 
			 1999 15.6 
			 2000 16.6 
			 2001 17.5 
			 2002 18.3 
			 2003 18.8 
			 2004(16) 19.7 
			 2005(16) 19.7 
		
	
	(15) Please note that the above information relates to employees on adult rates who have been in the same job for more than a year.
	(16) Implementation of Office for National Statistics (ONS) recommendations to improve the quality of the survey have resulted in a discontinuity with earlier data from 2004 (see the ONS Review of Distribution of Earnings Statistics report at http://www.statistics.gov.uk).
	(17) ASHE statistics prior to 1997 are currently not available (n/a).
	Notes:
	Housing
	1. Estimates of the average sale price of existing terrace properties (200205) are being produced, but are not currently available.
	2. The figures shown on average sale price of new terrace properties are taken from NI Housing Statistics, but this taken in isolation does not represent the housing market for terrace properties. In particular, new terrace houses are more expensive than new semi-detached houses, whereas the same is not believed to be true for existing properties.
	3. In the granting of mortgages, lenders take account of the entire income of the purchaser(s), including the income of partners, which may be earned in the non-industrial sector.
	Earnings
	1. The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) is a UK wide survey that provides a wide range of information on hourly, weekly and annual earnings by gender, work patterns, industry and occupation inter alia. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) carry out ASHE in Great Britain and it is carried out by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) in Northern Ireland.
	2. ASHE is a sample survey and uses the Inland Revenue's PA YE system as the main sampling frame. To improve coverage and hence make the survey more representative, supplementary information was collected since 2004 on businesses not registered for VAT and for people who changed or started new jobs between the sample selection and the survey reference period. The improvements have caused a discontinuity with earlier available data (19972003) when no supplementary data was collected. The data on earnings is obtained not from the employees, but from their employers under the authority of the Statistics of Trade and Employment (Northern Ireland) Order 1988. Information collected is treated as strictly confidential and is used only for statistical purposes.
	3. A recent National Statistics review of earnings statistics recommended that median values (the figure below which 50 per cent. of values fall) are used in preference to mean values (the sum divided by the number of values) when reporting earnings. The mean and the median measure different things and can both be appropriate measures depending on what the user is trying to measure. The mean measures the average amount earned by individuals but in a skew distribution such as earnings this measure is susceptible to small numbers of very high earners, whereas the median measures the amount earned by the individual in the middle of a ranked distribution. However, in this instance the mean values have been used to ensure equivalence with the average used to report on house prices in the response.

Curriculum and Assessment

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 13 March 2006, Official Report, column 2033W, on curriculum and assessment when he expects to be in a position to write to the hon. Lady for North Down with the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment's advice.

Angela Smith: Since the hon. Lady's previous question, the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment has continued to work on a detailed response to the points raised by Dr. Morrison. This material is now available and will be sent to the hon. Lady and placed in the Library of the House.

Domestic Rates

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland to complete the valuation of domestic properties in connection with the rating of those properties.

Angela Smith: The valuation phase of domestic revaluation will be completed by the end of May 2006 and publication of the draft schedule of values will take place on a phased basis over a seven-week period commencing the end of June 2006.

Draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the expected timescale is for a public inquiry into the draft Belfast metropolitan area plan.

Angela Smith: The Department of the Environment has recently written to the Planning Appeals Commission formally requesting a public inquiry into the draft Belfast metropolitan area plan (BMAP), published in November 2004, and Amendment No. 1 to the draft plan, published in February 2006. The PAC's formal acceptance of the request and their response as to when the inquiry might begin are currently awaited. The arrangements and timetable for the inquiry will thereafter become the responsibility of the PAC.

Drug Addicts

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many registered drug addicts there are in each (a) ward, (b) county and (c) constituency in Northern Ireland; what percentage of the total this represents in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: The Northern Ireland Addicts Index Database holds information on all those persons registered in concurrence with the Misuse of Drugs (Notification of and Supply to Addicts) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1973. It is based on a specific list of drugs, not necessarily all those which are used by addicts, and is dependent on GPs and other doctors filling in and submitting the required form. It does not represent the full total of those currently in treatment for problem drug use in Northern Ireland. The latest figures from the Database shows that in 2004/2005 there were 239 'registered drug addicts'. Their distribution by Health and Social Services Board is provided in the following table:
	
		Registered addicts by Health and Social Services Board 2005
		
			  Number Percentage 
		
		
			 Northern 102 43 
			 Eastern 97 41 
			 Western 20 8 
			 Southern 15 6 
			 Total (18)239 100 
		
	
	(18) This figure includes 5 individuals for whom Health and Social Services Board could not be established.
	Note:
	The data collected for the database does not facilitate description of those on the register by council ward or Parliamentary constituency.
	The Government take the problem use of illicit drugs very seriously and will continue to ensure appropriate and accessible treatment and support is available across Northern Ireland. We will also continue to promote activities aimed at reducing illicit drug use. Further details of action planned to address this issue will be found in the New Strategic Direction for Alcohol and Drugs 20062011 to be launched on May 8.

Economic Growth

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the rate of economic growth has been in Northern Ireland for each of the last 10 years.

Angela Smith: Economic growth rates for the UK regions are derived from the regional gross value added statistics released by the Office of National Statistics. The ten most recent growth rates for Northern Ireland are illustrated in the following table. It should, however, be noted that these are on a nominal basis, as reliable regional price deflators are unavailable to convert them into real terms.
	
		The rate of economic growth in Northern Ireland for 19942004
		
			  GVA at current basic prices ( million) Growth rate (Percentage) 
		
		
			 1994 13431  
			 1995 14352 6.86 
			 1996 15413 7.39 
			 1997 16283 5.64 
			 1998 17274 6.09 
			 1999 18077 4.65 
			 2000 18918 4.65 
			 2001 19817 4.75 
			 2002 20825 5.09 
			 2003 21952 5.41 
			 2004 23058 5.04

Emergency Drills

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what dates since October 2001, local authorities and emergency services have carried out nuclear emergency drills in co-operation with UK agencies; and where these drills were carried out.

Angela Smith: Government Departments in Northern Ireland have not held any nuclear emergency drills involving local authorities and emergency services since October 2001.

Employment Statistics

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what change there has been in the number of people employed full-time on farms in Northern Ireland over the past 10 years.

Angela Smith: The number of full-time farmers in Northern Ireland has fallen from 23,400 in 1995 to 18,200 in 2005, a decline of 5,200.
	The number of other full-time workers on farms in Northern Ireland has fallen from 3,600 in 1995 to 2,600 in 2005, a decline of 1,000.

Farming (Fraudulent Claims)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been successfully prosecuted under the (a) Animals (Records) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997, (b) Sheep Annual Premium Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992 and (c) Integrated Administration and Control Systems Regulations 1993 in each of the last five years; and what the total cost was of fraudulent claims made in each case in each year.

Angela Smith: The information is as follows:
	
		Animals (Records) Order and Sheep Annual Premium Convictions
		
			 Year of conviction Scheme year Number of convictions Cost of fraud () 
		
		
			 200102 2001 2 4,448.00 
			 
			 200203 2002 3 6,556.00 
			 
			 200304 2003 9 33,672.00 
			 
			 200405 2004 8 51,674.00 
			 200506 2004 5 15,131.00 
			  2003 1 1,804.00 
			 Total   16,935.00 
			 
			 Total  28 113,285.00 
		
	
	Note:
	Nil prosecutions for Animal (Records) Order alone.
	
		Sheep Annual Premium (SAPS) only convictions
		
			 Year of conviction Scheme year Number of convictions Cost of fraud () 
		
		
			 200203 2002 6 28,487.00 
			 
			 200304 2003 12 30,252.00 
			 
			 200405 2004 3 7,966.00 
			 
			 200506 2004 1 1,950.00 
			 
			 Total  22 68,655.00 
		
	
	
		Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) convictions
		
			 Year of conviction Scheme year Number of convictions Cost of fraud () 
		
		
			 200405 2003 3 3,732.00 
			 
			 200506 2004 2 8,301.00 
			 
			 Total  5 12,033.00 
		
	
	Note:
	No IACS convictions prior to 200405

Female Council Candidates

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many female candidates there are in the Northern Ireland council elections.

David Hanson: According to the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland's records, 201 candidates at the 2005 district council elections were female. This was out of a total of 918 candidates and represents just under 22 per cent. of the total. There are no local council elections taking place in Northern Ireland this year.

Government Taskforce on Needs

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which areas are being targeted by the Government taskforce established to assess the needs of those areas; and which civil and elected representatives have been consulted by the taskforce in each of these areas.

David Hanson: The Taskforce to Address the Needs of Protestant Working Class Communities did not target any specific areas but rather Protestant communities across Northern Ireland as a whole. The Taskforce Report was published on 4 April 2006 and is available at www.dsdni.gov.uk.
	The Taskforce met with representatives of:
	the Church of Ireland and the Presbyterian and Methodist churches;
	Evangelical Contribution on Northern Ireland;
	the Orange Order;
	Protestant/Unionist/Loyalist Network;
	Rural Community Network;
	Diversity Challenges;
	Northern Ireland Housing Executive;
	North Belfast Community Action Unit;
	PSNI;
	Community Relations Council;
	Institute of Directors;
	Confederation of British Industry; and
	political parties.
	A number of individual community activists also met the Taskforce.
	As Minister with responsibility for Social Development I undertook a series of consultations on the Taskforce Report and have completed fifty meetings with civic and elected representatives of the Protestant community as part of this process.

Greyhound Racing

Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what legislation applies to the use of greyhounds in greyhound racing in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: Under the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 all animals are protected from unnecessary cruelty or suffering, though there are no specific provisions on the welfare of racing greyhounds.

Housing

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average housing price in Northern Ireland has been in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Smith: The Valuation and Lands Agency maintains a database of house sales, which covers the period from mid-2002 to present. Prior to mid-2002 this data was not recorded in a way that permits statistical analysis, except at disproportionate cost.
	The average house price in Northern Ireland for each year in which data is available is as follows:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 2002 (2nd half) 97,067 
			 2003 105,558 
			 2004 110,760 
			 2005 116,914

Housing Benefits

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many households in Northern Ireland he estimates will be entitled to housing benefit in 200607.

David Hanson: It is estimated that there will be a total of 183,500 households entitled to housing benefit in 200607.

Inflation

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the rate of inflation was in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Smith: Statistics have not yet been developed to enable the production of reliable regional inflation rates within the UK. However, research by the Office of National Statistics indicated that the cost of living in Northern Ireland, during 2004, was approximately three to five per cent. below the UK average.

InterTradeIreland

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State forNorthern Ireland what recent assessment he has made of the (a) quality and (b) performance of InterTradeIreland.

Angela Smith: InterTradeIreland's business plan is subject to scrutiny by the two Sponsor Departments (North and South) on an annual basis; and its annual accounts are examined separately and certified by the Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland and the Irish Comptroller and Auditor General.
	The Body's activities are also subject to regular monitoring by the two Sponsor Departments, who are satisfied with the overall quality and performance since its inception.

Invest Northern Ireland

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much land held by Invest Northern Ireland is available for industrial use in each of Northern Ireland's constituencies.

Angela Smith: The amount of land held by Invest Northern Ireland which is available for industrial use in each of Northern Ireland's constituencies is as follows. These figures do not include 1,885 acres (763 ha) of land held by Invest NI that is currently in industrial use.
	
		
			 Parliamentary constituency Land available for industrial use 
			  Acres Hectares 
		
		
			 Belfast East 0.0 0.0 
			 Belfast North 2.9 1.2 
			 Belfast South 0.0 0.0 
			 Belfast West 22.3 9.0 
			 East Antrim 29.9 12.1 
			 East Londonderry 67.3 27.2 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 97.5 39.5 
			 Foyle 122.3 49.5 
			 Lagan Valley 34.6 14.0 
			 Mid Ulster 35.9 14.5 
			 Newry and Armagh 9.9 4.0 
			 North Antrim 43.0 17.4 
			 North Down 20.1 8.1 
			 South Antrim 135.3 54.8 
			 South Down 55.9 22.6 
			 Strangford 8.6 3.5 
			 Upper Bann 212.6 86.0 
			 West Tyrone 19.7 8.0 
			 Total 917.8 371.4

Legal Advice

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to ensure a panel of barristers is available to the Northern Ireland Administration to provide legal advice.

Angela Smith: Three panels of junior counsel and one of senior counsel were appointed by the Attorney General in April 2004 after consultation with the Secretary of State to support the work of Senior and Junior Crown Counsel in providing advice to and representation for both the Northern Ireland departments and the Whitehall departments operating in Northern Ireland. The appointments were made following an open competition and selection by a board comprising representatives of the devolved and Westminster administrations, with two independent members.

Measuring Public Opinion

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which organisations or companies have been employed by his Department on measuring public opinion in each of the last three years; and how much has been spent in each case.

David Hanson: The following organisations and companies have been employed on measuring public opinion during the last three years; the Northern Ireland Statistics  Research Agency; Queen's University Belfast; University of Central Lancashire  University of Manchester; Independent Research Solutions; Gallup Europe; Anderson Spratt Group; A V Browne; and Millward Brown.
	The total amount paid in each of the last three years to these organisations and companies for projects in which public opinion was measured is provided in the following table.
	It is not possible to distinguish between the amount spent on measuring public opinion and other activities within the same project.
	To disclose the amount paid to individual private sector companies would be prejudicial to commercial interests.
	
		
			  Total spent () 
		
		
			 200203 145,777 
			 200304 416,113 
			 200405 233,063

Planning

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how many planning refusal notices have been issued in each district council area in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many planning approval decisions have been issued in each of the last five years in each district council area in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: Details of how many applications were refused or approved since 2000 are set out in the following tables.
	
		Table 1: Decisions issued by council area between 2000 and 2005
		
			  200001 200102 200203 
			 Council area Refusal Approval Refusal Approval Refusal Approval 
		
		
			 Antrim 86 606 48 624 49 812 
			 Ards 78 687 81 800 64 924 
			 Armagh 26 1,101 46 1,061 44 1,093 
			 Ballymena 18 714 16 760 18 917 
			 Ballymoney 23 401 22 426 22 450 
			 Banbridge 36 790 40 770 21 956 
			 Belfast 118 1,964 95 2,262 89 2,115 
			 Carrickfergus 24 226 15 257 9 273 
			 Castlereagh 29 519 20 494 26 503 
			 Coleraine 77 655 74 807 60 765 
			 Cookstown 32 715 31 602 51 643 
			 Craigavon 46 907 65 742 48 913 
			 Derry 48 747 75 787 62 715 
			 Down 87 938 93 988 91 1,044 
			 Dungannon 60 966 48 1,059 24 1,040 
			 Fermanagh 92 1,110 84 1,100 119 1,220 
			 Larne 26 309 14 277 13 284 
			 Limavady 53 382 69 379 42 354 
			 Lisburn 106 903 125 930 150 1,147 
			 Magherafelt 15 723 24 739 50 833 
			 Moyle 24 315 21 341 16 309 
			 Newry and Mourne 163 1,851 112 1,551 135 1,722 
			 Newtownabby 25 452 28 524 25 557 
			 North Down 54 599 83 598 37 711 
			 Omagh 23 863 32 923 21 902 
			 Strabane 24 552 22 582 36 517 
		
	
	
		
			  200304 200405 
			 Council area Refusal Approval Refusal Approval 
		
		
			 Antrim 116 879 184 980 
			 Ards 79 896 89 1,166 
			 Armagh 11 763 73 846 
			 Ballymena 73 983 188 1,174 
			 Ballymoney 25 507 61 574 
			 Banbridge 108 1,027 128 764 
			 Belfast 97 2,200 90 2,043 
			 Carrickfergus 15 241 19 276 
			 Castlereagh 44 465 23 485 
			 Coleraine 72 668 97 865 
			 Cookstown 75 821 81 947 
			 Craigavon 62 903 111 913 
			 Derry 66 746 110 685 
			 Down 98 1,140 70 1,073 
			 Dungannon 23 1,129 74 1,447 
			 Fermanagh 107 1,485 160 1,736 
			 Larne 28 344 29 339 
			 Limavady 8 438 106 610 
			 Lisburn 195 1,074 126 1,221 
			 Magherafelt 40 734 42 891 
			 Moyle 14 299 26 367 
			 Newry and Mourne 213 1,732 483 1,733 
			 Newtownabby 40 602 16 568 
			 North Down 36 661 39 673 
			 Omagh 52 1,013 67 1,228 
			 Strabane 38 673 86 656

Planning

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many valid planning applications have been received by the divisional planning office in (a) Downpatrick and (b) Craigavon in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: The total number of valid planning applications received in the Craigavon and Downpatrick divisional planning offices between 2001 and 2005 are as follows:
	
		
			  Craigavon Downpatrick 
		
		
			 2001 5,084 4,204 
			 2002 5,578 4,721 
			 2003 6,714 4,796 
			 2004 7,289 5,942 
			 2005 6,455 4,811

Planning

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many planning approvals have been received by the Divisional Planning Office in (a) Downpatrick and (b) Craigavon in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: The total number of planning approvals issued by the Craigavon and Downpatrick Divisional Planning Offices between 2001 and 2005 are as follows:
	
		Number
		
			  Craigavon Downpatrick 
		
		
			 2001 4303 3223 
			 2002 4486 3822 
			 2003 4538 3706 
			 2004 4100 4256 
			 2005 4563 3696

Planning

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average length of time taken to process a planning application from application to approval is in the (a) Downpatrick and (b) Craigavon Divisional Planning Office.

Angela Smith: In 2005 the average time taken to process a planning application to approval was 36.39 weeks in the Downpatrick Divisional Planning Office (DPO) and 26.84 weeks in the Craigavon DPO.

Police

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 18 April 2006, Official Report, column 499W on police, how many people were in each category of applicants.

Shaun Woodward: I am advised that the number of people in each category of applicants for the last two PSNI trainee constable competitions were as follows:
	
		
			 Competition Number of Protestant applications Number of Catholic applications Number non-determined 
		
		
			 9 3876 2068 162 
			 10 4572 2851 268

Police

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Police Service of Northern Ireland students have been (a) disciplined and (b) expelled while undergoing their training in each of the last 10 years; and what percentage this is of the total intake in each year.

Shaun Woodward: It is not possible to provide this information prior to November 2001, as records before this date show no distinction between officers undergoing initial training (now termed 'student' officers) and those who have completed initial training ('probationer constables'). To this end, the figures prior to November 2001 cannot be provided.
	The figures for November 2001 onwards are as follows:
	
		
			  Number of students Number of verbal warnings Number of written warnings Number of suspensions Number of dismissals Percentage of intake 
		
		
			 200102 276 3 0 1 1 2 
			 200203 540 19 14 0 2 6.5 
			 200304 540 26 17 2 6 9 
			 200405 540 23 20 3 2 9 
			 200506 440 17 15 5 2 9

Road Tax

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been caught by road tax detection devices in each of the last five years, broken down by police region.

Angela Smith: On the road detection of vehicle excise duty evasion by Driver and Vehicle Licensing's (DVLNI) Automated Number Plate Readers (ANPRs) was introduced in 2001. Separate recording of ANPR detections disaggregated from those detected by Police or traffic wardens only started in 2002. The figures are:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 200203 5,501 
			 200304 6,024 
			 200405 12,543 
		
	
	These figures are not recorded by police region.

Road Traffic Accidents

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) deaths and (b) serious injuries have been caused by road traffic accidents in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested by the hon. Member is available on the Police Service of Northern Ireland website at www.psni.police.uk.

Shared Future Document

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when action plans will be produced by Departments to implement the recommendations of the Shared Future document.

Angela Smith: The first triennial action plan of A Shared Future was launched by my noble friend the Minister of State for Northern Ireland (Lord Rooker) on 27 April.
	I have arranged for copies of the action plan to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Sinn Fein/IRA Stormont Spy Ring

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were assisted to move house as a result of the discovery of the Sinn Fein/IRA Stormont spy ring; and how many people had additional security measures fitted to their homes.

Shaun Woodward: The numbers of people assisted to move house and provided with home security measures as a result of the compromise of information in 2002 are as follows:
	
		
			 Protection scheme Number admitted 
		
		
			 Scheme for the special purchase of evacuated dwellings 499 
			 Key persons protection scheme 669 
			 Prison service assisted home removal scheme 453 
			 Prison service protection scheme 960

Statemented Children

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what (a) number and (b) percentage of children with special educational needs have been (i) statemented and (ii) not statemented in the 100 (A) primary and (B) secondary schools in Northern Ireland with the (1) highest and (2) lowest percentage of children receiving free school meals in each of the last three years.

Angela Smith: The requested information is as follows:
	
		Pupils with special educational needs who have been (a) statemented and (b) not statemented, in the 100 primary and post primary schools with the highest percentage of free school meals entitlement.
		
			  Primary schools Post primary schools 
			  SEN children with a statement SEN children at Stages 14 (non statemented) SEN children with a statement SEN children at Stages 14 (non statemented) 
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 
		
		
			 200304 548 9 5,294 91 1,683 19 7,031 81 
			 200405 591 10 5,334 90 1,809 19 7,481 81 
			 200506 605 10 5,170 90 2,005 19 8,308 81 
		
	
	
		Pupils with special educational needs who have been (a) statemented and (b) not statemented, in the 100 primary and post primary schools with the lowest percentage of free school meals entitlement.
		
			  Primary schools Post primary schools 
			  SEN children with a statement SEN children at Stages 14 (non statemented) SEN children with a statement SEN children at Stages 14 (non statemented) 
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 
		
		
			 200304 195 10 1,696 90 823 25 2,420 75 
			 200405 228 11 1,787 89 923 26 2,660 74 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures relate to post primary pupils and pupils in year 1 to year 7 classes in primary schools.

Taxis

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the reasons are for the time taken to introduce legislation on taxi regulation in Northern Ireland; and when he expects this legislation to be introduced.

Angela Smith: The necessary legislation to enable the Department of Environment to implement changes on taxi regulation is substantially drafted. We plan to start consulting on the draft legislation later this month.

Television Licences

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) men and (b) women were successfully prosecuted during 2005 for not having a television licence in Northern Ireland.

David Hanson: A total of 6,711 television licence cases were laid for Northern Ireland in 2005. A gender breakdown is not available.

Tourism

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what promotional activities are planned by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to market Northern Ireland in Scotland during 2006.

Angela Smith: Tourism Ireland is responsible for marketing Northern Ireland as a preferred holiday destination in Great Britain and overseas. Tourism Ireland works closely with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to fulfil this remit.
	During 2006, Tourism Ireland's Glasgow office is undertaking the following marketing activities:
	Five e-marketing communications to a total of 53,000 consumers:
	TV advertising in January, March, May, June, July and August:
	57 Scottish cinemas showing Northern Ireland advertisements during the run of Narnia, the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe:
	Four direct mail campaigns directed at 66,000 residents:
	National (Great Britain) print advertisements in Scottish editions of newspapers reaching the target audience of two million of sightseers and culture seekers plus additional five insertions in 'Scotland on Sunday':
	Four consumer exhibitions in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Coatbridge from January to June:
	Five Scottish tour operators attending the Northern Ireland Tourist Board Workshop in May:
	Four Scottish coach operators and group organisers attending the Northern Ireland educational visit in September:
	Five presentations to Scottish Travel Trade, media and business tourism agencies.

Tourism

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much the Northern Ireland Tourist Board spent on promoting Northern Ireland as a tourist destination in the Republic of Ireland in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: The Northern Ireland Tourist Board has an office in Dublin which includes a tourist information centre (TIC) and also a marketing team.
	The annual spend in the RoI office during the period 200102 to 200506 varied by year and is detailed in the following table. The total spend figures include the running costs of the premises in Dublin.
	Some of the promotion and advertising figures which may be of specific interest are itemised as follows.
	
		
		
			  200102 200203 200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 Total RoI spend per year 559,919 465,052 1,052,009 1,050,994 720,597 
			 Specific promotional spend  
			 Public relations 31,000 27,417 35,472 37,167 37,183 
			 Advertising 122,131 139,592 704,499 799,535 465,750 
			 Consumer promotions 104,478 72,491 75,511 48,568 38,065 
			 Trade and media familiarisation trips 31,439 49,209 53,258 23,441 21,557

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

China/Vietnam

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government supports the procedures used by the European Commission to determine whether to impose anti-dumping duties on shoes from China and Vietnam.

Ian Pearson: The Government are content that the European Commission is carrying out its investigation into dumping of shoes with leather uppers from China and Vietnam, including its decision to impose provisional anti-dumping measures, in accordance with the procedures set down in Council Regulation (EC) 384/96 of 22 December 1995 (as amended) on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community. Nonetheless, the UK has questioned and continues to monitor a number of aspects of the investigation including, in particular, product coverage, the choice of analogue country for two non-market economies, decisions on market economy treatment of Chinese companies and the Community Interest assessment.

Gibraltar

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was given to the Government of Gibraltar for national security in each of the last five years.

Douglas Alexander: The United Kingdom retains overall responsibility for the national security of Gibraltar. Overall Government expenditure on the two main forces responsible for this role in Gibraltar, namely, the Gibraltar Squadron and the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, over the past five years has been as follows:
	
		
		
			  Gibraltar Squadron Royal Gibraltar Regiment 
		
		
			 200102 910,000 4,384,000 
			 200203 1,101,000 4,733,000 
			 200304 1,117,000 4,798,000 
			 200405 1,245,000 5,116,000 
			 200506 1,328,000 5,638,000 
		
	
	The totals are 5,701,000 and 24,669,000 respectively over the five year period.

Home Working

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people in his Department have been enabled to work from home in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not keep central records of the number of home workers. However, approximately 170 people are currently equipped with full remote laptop access to the FCO computer system.

India (Defence Exports)

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes have been made to the rules governing the export of (a) defence equipment and (b) certain dual-use-goods by the UK to India in the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: As for all destinations, export licence applications covering defence equipment to India are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the consolidated EU and national export licensing criteria, as announced by the then Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister of State (right hon. Peter Hain) in a written reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Crawley (Laura Moffatt), on 26 October 2000, Official Report, columns 199203W, taking account of the circumstances prevailing at the time and other relevant announced Government policies.
	In August 2005, the Government revised the position adopted in 2002 on our policy regarding the export of nuclear related items to India. The restrictions now in force are less stringent than those in force in 2002 and conform to the UK's current international obligations and non-proliferation commitments.
	In line with our Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) commitments, we will continue to refuse applications in respect of all NSG Trigger List items, and applications in respect of all items on the NSG Dual-Use List, when they are destined for unsafeguarded nuclear fuel cycle or nuclear explosive activities, or when there is an unacceptable risk of diversion to such activities.
	We will now, however, consider on a case-by-case basis licence applications for items on the NSG Dual-Use List destined for other activities. (Our March 2002 policy was to refuse all such exports to nuclear or nuclear-related end-users in India, regardless of the stated end-use of the item).
	We will also consider all applications to export other items assessed as licensable, including those assessed as licensable under the weapons of mass destruction end-use control, on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the risk of use in, or diversion to, unsafeguarded nuclear fuel cycle or nuclear explosive activities, or acts of nuclear terrorism; the risk of possible onward transfer of these items to other states for proliferation purposes, including the recipient state's export control performance; and the potential utility of the items concerned for, and contribution that they would make to, such activities.
	We will continue to consider applications for exports which will contribute to the physical protection or security of civil or military nuclear facilities or assets in India. Licences may be issued in exceptional cases, consistent with our obligations and commitments.
	We will encourage contacts between UK nuclear scientists, academics and those working in or with the UK nuclear industry with their Indian counterparts, except where we consider that such contacts might be of assistance to the weapons-related aspects of its nuclear programme. Where such contacts involve the transfer of technology, which require export licences, we will continue to consider applications for such licences in accordance with the provisions of UK export control legislation, on a case-by-case basis.

International Arms Trade Treaty

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Prime Minister regarding the International Arms Trade treaty; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister have regular discussions on a wide range of foreign policy issues including the International Arms Trade treaty. The commitment to work to secure such a treaty was a pledge in the Labour party's 2005 general election manifesto.

International Arms Trade Treaty

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to promote the Arms Trade Treaty (a) among other Governments and (b) at the United Nations.

Kim Howells: The Government are committed to pursuing a treaty on the international trade in all conventional arms. We believe that such a treaty needs to include a wide range of signatories, including the world's major arms exporters. We are engaging with other countries at various levels, including through ministerial contacts, specific events, direct expert-level talks and using our network of overseas posts. Most recently a dedicated cross-Whitehall team visited Beijing (14 March) and Moscow (20 February) to discuss the initiative with their Chinese and Russian counterparts. I also made a speech on 23 March making the case for a treaty while on a visit to the United Nations in Geneva. Speaking to the assembled diplomatic community, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also spoke about the UK's commitment to the arms trade treaty in a speech at Mansion House on 26 April. A further global lobbying exercise is also currently under way involving all of our overseas posts. This work will continue with the aim of building the consensus needed for the start of a formal process at the UN later this year.

International Tax and Investment Centre

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department's officials have met International Tax and Investment Centre representatives since March 2003; and what subjects were discussed.

Ian Pearson: As far as I am aware, in the period in question, officials have discussed with International Tax and Investment Centre representatives the business environment in Azerbaijan and prospects for the future of the Iraqi oil sector.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place a copy of the (a) fiscal and regulatory frameworks for the oil industry in Iraq and (b) UK paper prepared for the Iraqi Ministry of Oil on this subject in the Library; what policy the Government have on funding the Iraqi oil industry; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Iraqi constitution, approved in a referendum on 15 October 2005, provides the basis of Iraqi law on the regulation of the oil industry in Iraq. Detailed fiscal and regulatory frameworks do not exist at present. An English translation of the constitution will be placed in the Library of the House. The practical implementation of the provisions of the constitution will be effected through further legislation, which we expect the incoming Government to take forward.
	The UK has not prepared papers for the Iraqi Ministry of Oil on fiscal and regulatory frameworks for the Iraqi oil industry.
	Providing a framework for securing the substantial investment needed in the Iraqi oil industry will be a key challenge for the incoming Government. There are several options open to the Iraqis and we encourage them to work with experienced development partners to assess the benefits of each option, and to ensure that Iraq's resources benefit its citizens.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports relating to Iraq the Government has received from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in its capacity as custodian of the Geneva Convention; whether the reports indicate breaches of the Convention by forces in Iraq; what (a) the UK's and (b) the Allied Command in Iraq's response has been; if he will place relevant correspondence between the ICRC and the Government in the Library; why the Government decided not to disclose such reports as a matter of course; if he will ensure in future that the Government exercises the option available to it to disclose such reports in full; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) has unfettered access to British security detention facilities in southern Iraq and reports its findings to us, and we respond, on a confidential basis.
	It is customary international practice for reports from the ICRC on security detention to remain confidential between the ICRC and the detaining power. We believe it is important to maintain that policy of confidentially so as to, inter alia, encourage the free and frank exchange of views about detention in all locations where ICRC carry out their valuable work.

Israel

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the occasions when (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have condemned (i) suicide and (ii) other terrorist attacks in Israel; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have publicly condemned terrorist attacks in Israel. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary recently did so following the bombing in Tel Aviv on 17 April.
	Israel has suffered greatly in the face of terrorism. The tragic impact of suicide bombings is all too clear. Israel is entitled to take steps to ensure its security and safeguard itself against terrorism. But it must act in accordance with international law. We continue to urge the Palestinian Authority to take steps to control Palestinian terrorist groups and to improve security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
	Recent statements on the Middle East Peace Process can be found on the Middle East Peace Process pages of the FCO website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPagec=Pagecid=1007029394617.

Israel

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have had with Arab states about suicide bombings in Israel; what response he has received; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have raised this issue in our discussions with Arab states. Most recently my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the suicide bombing in Tel Aviv on 17 April in a meeting with the Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Saud al Faisal, during his visit to Saudi Arabia on 18 April.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I will continue to work with Arab states and the parties towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on a two state solution with Israeli and Palestinian states living side by side in peace and security.

Israel

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received regarding the acquisition of land by Israel for further illegal settlement building close to Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem; and what representations he is making on the subject.

Kim Howells: In February 2006, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that the Israel Defence Force (IDF) requisitioned 702.6 dunums (70.3 hectares) of Palestinian land throughout the west bank in February 2006. We understand land was requisitioned by the IDF in Bethlehem for military requirements, including new observation towers and the expansion of military bases and road construction. Land levelling also occurred for the expansion of existing and the establishment of new IDF infrastructure as well as around Israeli settlements.
	We remain concerned about the current route of the barrier around Bethlehem. Israel has a right to protect its citizens from terrorist attack, but the routing of the barrier on occupied territory is contrary to international law. We have made clear our concerns on the routing of the barrier beyond the Green Line to the Israeli Government at all levels and will continue to do so. On 23 March, our defence attache in Tel Aviv raised the crossing points at Bethlehem with the Israeli authorities.

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what phase of the performance-based Roadmap to a permanent two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict had been attained before the January 2006 Palestinian legislative elections; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: Progress has been made on some aspects of the Roadmap by both parties, but neither the Israelis or the Palestinians have implemented their Roadmap commitments in full. In January 2006, full implementation of Phase I had yet to be achieved.
	Both sides need to take steps to implement their Roadmap commitments. We will continue to work with both Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Israeli Government to achieve this.

Kurds

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps he has taken to facilitate a peaceful solution to the Kurdish question; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Government welcomed the statement by the Turkish Prime Minister in August 2005 that Turkey needed to address the Kurdish issue under a banner of increasing democratisation. Our ambassador in Ankara has continued to convey to senior Turkish Ministers and officials, including in recent weeks, the need to follow up the statement with social and economic reforms in South-east Turkey. We also continue to press the Turkish authorities to ensure the full enjoyment of the cultural rights of all Turkish citizens.

Mauritania

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what elements the 81,000 contribution to a UN High Commissioner for Refugees project in Mauritania to improve Mauritanian capacity to manage migration will be spent; and how much will be spent on each element.

Kim Howells: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' project aims to improve Mauritania's capacity to manage migration by strengthening the implementation of Mauritanian law on the residence of foreigners on Mauritanian territory, enhancing refugees' protection under law and promoting enjoyment of their rights.
	The UK has offered to co-fund the project with the European Commission and would provide 81,000 towards the total. We would not seek to earmark our contribution. The Commission is still considering whether to approve funding for the project.

Ministerial Cars (Fuel Costs)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the fuel costs were for ministerial cars used by his Department in each of the last five years.

Jack Straw: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Transport (Dr. Ladyman) on 27 April 2006, Official Report, columns 122627W.

Nepal

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the security situation in Nepal.

Kim Howells: The security situation in Nepal has improved since the King announced, on 24 April 2006, that he was handing power back to the political parties and that he would reinstate Parliament. The parties responded by calling off their strikes and the Maoists have lifted their blockades and called a three month unilateral ceasefire.
	The reinstated Parliament convened on 28 April 2006. The new Prime Minister, G P Koirala, was sworn in to office on 30 April and the Parliament agreed on a proposal to hold a constituent assembly and to reciprocate the Maoist ceasefire. There were no reports of violence or unrest surrounding these events. Since then, supplies of food and fuel are returning to near normal levels, shops and roads have opened and transport is moving.
	Currently there is no reason to suppose that the security situation will deteriorate significantly or that the public mood will lead to further unrest. However, the political situation continues to move quickly and remains uncertain, and the security situation in Nepal could still change rapidly.
	We assess that there is no direct threat to British interests. We have been monitoring the situation closely, with oversight from the Cabinet Office. We will continue to do so, including with our international partners.

Palestine

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposed arms sales by the Russian military to Hamas; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: We understand that Russia has frozen the proposed arms sales.

Palestine

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on relations with the newly elected Palestinian Authority.

Kim Howells: We recognise Hamas's democratic mandate as a result of free and fair elections. But democracy means more than winning elections. With this mandate comes responsibilities. We want to take the peace process forward with the Palestinian Authority and Israel but we can only do so if everyone is committed to democracy and a two-state solution, not violence. As I told the House, on 25 April 2006, Official Report, columns 49194:
	'We will continue to do all that we can to impress on Hamasthe newly elected Government of the Palestinian peoplethat it should recognise the right of the state of Israel to exist, that it should renounce violence, and that it should stick to previous agreements that form the basis of the road map which we consider to be the best and indeed, at the moment, the only way forward'.
	We will continue to work with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to take the peace process forward.

Small Arms/Light Weapons

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his position at the UN Review Conference on Small Arms and Light Weapons in New York in June; whether he has discussed this matter with his US counterpart; what his understanding is of the position the US may take at the conference; whether he has proposals to put to his US counterpart to try to influence that country's position; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The UK is working with many other countries, including the US, to ensure that the Review Conference helps to strengthen the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and to facilitate its implementation. In particular the UK is working with others to promote global guidelines for national controls on SALW transfers to be agreed at the Review Conference. The UK has had productive dialogue with the US on SALW issues ahead of the Review Conference, including between my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and his US counterpart as well as at official level.

Syria

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to hold meetings with the Syrian authorities.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no plans to hold meetings with the Syrian authorities.

Terrorism (Definition)

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's definition of terrorism is; what assessment he has made of the merits of agreeing a globally-accepted definition of terrorism; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The definition of terrorism in UK law is contained in section 1 of the Terrorism Act 2000, as amended by section 33 of the Terrorism Act 2006. In November 2005, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary asked the noble and learned Lord, Lord Carlile of Berriew, to undertake a review of the definition. Lord Carlile is intending to report later this year.
	The Government see great advantage in an internationally agreed definition of terrorism and have been working to achieve one through the conclusion of a UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. Regrettably, the UN membership has yet to reach final agreement on the convention, but the UK will continue to press for progress.

Terrorist Organisations

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the EU on the continuing proscription of the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran in the last 12 months.

Kim Howells: The Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK, or People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran) appears on the EU's list of persons, groups and entities which are subject to restrictive measures with a view to combating terrorism under Council Regulation 2580/2001-EC. The Court of First Instance of the European Communities is currently considering a challenge by the MEK to their inclusion on that list. The UK has contributed to those proceedings, but since judgment in the case is awaited it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.
	The MEK is proscribed in the UK under the Terrorism Act 2000.

UK/India Prisoner Transfer

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many transfer application requests have been submitted relating to the UK/India Prisoner Transfer Agreement; and how many such requests have been approved.

Kim Howells: To date, three British nationals in prison in India have submitted requests to transfer to the UK under the UK/India Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. One Indian national in prison in the UK has submitted a request to transfer to India. No requests have yet been approved. The authorities in the UK and India are still considering all four requests.

UK/India Prisoner Transfer

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made with the UK/India Prisoner Transfer Agreement.

Kim Howells: The UK/India Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons was signed by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and Indian Home Minister Shivraj Patil on 18 February 2005 and came into force on 21 November 2005. We are working closely with the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs to process the first requests for transfer.

UN Population Fund

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which occasions (a) the UK has voted against and the US has voted for and (b) the UK has voted for and the US has voted against the adoption of measures by the United Nations Population Fund since 1997.

Gareth Thomas: I have been asked to reply.
	There has not been any voting in the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Boards since 1997.

US-India Nuclear Deal

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from his Pakistani counterparts regarding the US-India nuclear deal; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: I have not received any representations from my Pakistani counterparts regarding the US-India Civil Nuclear Co-operation Initiative. My officials discussed the Initiative, among other issues, with their Pakistani counterparts during the inaugural UK-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue in October 2005.

US-India Nuclear Deal

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government are reviewing their policy towards India's possession of nuclear weapons following the recently concluded US-India nuclear deal; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The Government's policy on India's possession of nuclear weapons has not changed. We do not and will not support India's nuclear weapons programme. We remain committed to the objective of universalisation of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, which India can join only as a non-nuclear weapons state. But we recognise that this is a long-term objective. We warmly welcomed the announcement of the US-India Civil Nuclear Co-operation Initiative in July 2005 as we believe that the deal can make a significant contribution to energy security, development, economic and environmental objectives for India and the international community, as well as bringing advantages for non-proliferation.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Assault (Civil Action)

Vera Baird: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps she plans to take to permit civil action in cases of assault to be commenced beyond the limitation period in circumstances where the assaulter has been enriched after that date.

Harriet Harman: The Law Commission recommended changes to the law relating to limitation periods, in its 2001 report on Limitation of Actions (Law Com. 270).
	Under the Law Commission's proposed regime, there would be a primary limitation period of three years from the date that the claimant knows the relevant facts. These are (a) the facts which give rise to the cause of action; (b) the identity of the defendant; and (c) that the injury was significant. An injury would be considered significant if a reasonable person would think that it was worth making a claim, assuming the defendant does not dispute liability and is able to satisfy a judgment. The impecuniosity of the defendant may therefore prevent time running. In addition, in personal injury cases, the court would have a discretion to disapply the limitation period if it would be equitable to do so. There would be no time limit on the exercise of this discretion.
	The Government have announced their acceptance in principle of the Law Commission's recommendations, subject to further consideration of certain aspects of the report, 16 Jul 2002, Official Report, column 272W. This work is now well advanced and we hope to be able to conclude it shortly. We will then seek a legislative opportunity to reform the law.

Census Information

Mike Hancock: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to the evidence of her Department's permanent secretary on 28 February 2006 to the Constitutional Affairs Committee, what assessment she has made of the potential administrative impact on her Department of releasing information collected in the 1911 census.

Harriet Harman: In order to make the 1911 census returns accessible to as many people as possible and to prevent its reading rooms being overwhelmed by demand, The National Archives intends to make them available on the internet for the first working day of 2012. Digitisation of the records will take approximately five years. In this context TNA has considered the administrative impact of making returns available in response to specific requests before the online service is launched.
	In line with Treasury policy, TNA intends to use a commercial supplier to digitise the records. Allowing the public to access records during this process would cause repeated disruptions to the scanning process, and make it highly unlikely that any reputable commercial organisation would wish to embark on this large scale programme.
	As is the case for any paper records nearly 100 years old, the 1911 returns are in fragile condition. Repeated handling by staff and members of the public would cause rapid deterioration in their condition. In some cases the original record could become unreadable and the unique information in the lost forever.
	TNA estimates that a significant number of staff might have to be diverted from other work to deal with requests for census records. This would severely impact on its ability to provide a service to its many other customers.

Coroner Service

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will list the occasions since 1976 when a sudden or violent death involving a single victim has not had a coroner's inquest return a verdict.

Harriet Harman: This information is not held centrally and to obtain would incur disproportionate costs.

Council Tax Valuations

Eric Pickles: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to the answer of 16 February 2006, Official Report, columns 219293W, on council tax valuations, what plans there are to give the Valuation Office Agency continuing access to property data.

Bridget Prentice: Currently, Land Registry has no plans to give Valuation Office Agency access to property data.

Council Tax Valuations

Eric Pickles: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to her answer of 16 February 2006, Official Report, columns 219293W, on council tax valuations, what Government (a) agencies and (b) Departments will have access to data held in the Land Registry's property database on the commencement of e-conveyancing.

Bridget Prentice: Land Registry currently provides property price information to public and private sector customers on a commercial basis and this service will continue when electronic conveyancing is introduced in England and Wales. I cannot specify which Government agencies and Departments will request this type of data after the introduction of electronic conveyancing as this will depend on their individual requirements.

Court Services (South-west)

Mark Harper: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on the financial position of court services in the south-west;
	(2)  what savings are being sought from court services in the south-west region; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: Currently only indicative budgets have been given to the Regions showing a required saving of 5.1 per cent.

Crown Counsel (Northern Ireland)

Mark Durkan: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many senior Crown counsel were subsequently appointed judges in Northern Ireland in the last 30 years.

Bridget Prentice: In the last 30 years seven senior Crown counsel were subsequently appointed as judges in Northern Ireland.

Death Certificates

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what rules apply to the timescale for issuing death certificates in relation to (a) the date of death, (b) the holding of a coroner's inquest and (c) the release and disposal of the body.

Harriet Harman: Death certification and inquest proceedings are governed by the relevant primary and secondary legislation, including the Birth and Deaths Registration Act 1953 and the Coroners Act 1988. No mention is made within the legislation of specific timescales in respect of the date of death, the holding of a coroner's inquest or the release and disposal of the body.

Departmental Websites

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will list (a) the websites operated by her Department and (b) the reports placed on the internet in March 2006, indicating in each case whether paper copies were also made available.

Harriet Harman: (a) The websites that come under my Department's responsibility are detailed in the following table.
	(b) In March 2006 the following reports were published on my Department's main website http://www.dca.gov.uk/majrepfr.htm:
	Effects of advertising in respect of compensation claims for personal injuries (http://www.dca.gov.uk/majrepfr.htm);
	Research into the operation of Rule 9.5 of Family Proceedings Rules 1991 (http://www.dca.gov.uk/majrepfr.htm);
	Making contact happen or making contact work? The process and outcomes of in-court conciliation (http://www.dca.gov.uk/research/2006/03_2006.htm);
	Claims Standards Council Report by Boleat Consulting and response to the Boleat report (http://www.dca.gov.uk/legist/compensation.htm);
	Getting better, earlier advice to vulnerable people (http://www.dca.gov.uk/laid/civilaid.htm);
	Estimating the size and nature of the civil legal advice sector in England and Wales (http://www.dca.gov.uk/research/2006/04_2006.htm).
	The following consultations were published on my Department's website http://www.dca.gov.uk/consult/confr.htm:
	Draft inquiry procedure (UK inquiries) rules;
	Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice.
	The following responses to consultations were published on my Department's website http://www.dca.gov.uk/consult/2005.htm:
	Barnet County Court and specialist family centre pilot;
	Imprints on election material.
	All the documents are available in hard copy.
	
		
			 Name Web address 
		
		
			 The Adjudicator to HM Land Registry www.ahmlr.gov.uk 
			 Asylum and Immigration Tribunal www.ait.gov.uk 
			 Civil Justice Council www.civiljusticecouncil.gov.uk 
			 Commission for Judicial Appointments www.cja.gov.uk 
			 Community Justice www.communityjustice.gov.uk 
			 Community Legal Service www.clsdirect.org.uk 
			 Council on Tribunals www.council-on-tribunals.gov.uk 
			 Criminal Courts Review www.criminal-courts-review.org.uk 
			 Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel www.cicap.gov.uk 
			 Department for Constitutional Affairs www.dca.gov.uk 
			 Employment Tribunals www.employmenttribunals.gov.uk 
			 Employment Appeal Tribunal www.employmentappeals.gov.uk 
			 Family Justice Council www.familyjusticecouncil.org.uk 
			 Finance and Tax Tribunals www.financeandtaxtribunals.gov.uk 
			 Gender Recognition Panel www.grp.gov.uk 
			 General Commissioners of Income Tax www.tribunalsservice.gov.uk/gcit 
			 Her Majesty's Courts Service www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk 
			 Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Court Administration www.hmica.gov.uk 
			 Hutton Inquiry www.the-hutton-inquiry.org.uk 
			 Immigration Services Tribunal www.immigrationservicestribunal.gov.uk 
			 Information Tribunal www.informationtribunal.gov.uk 
			 Judicial Appointments Commission wwwjudicialappointments.gov.uk 
			 Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman www.judicialombudsman.gov.uk 
			 Judicial Studies Board www.jsboard.co.uk 
			 Land Registry www.landreg.gov.uk 
			 Lands Tribunal www.landstribunal.gov.uk 
			 Law Commission www.lawcom.gov.uk 
			 Legal Services Commission www.legalservices.gov.uk 
			 Legal Services Research Centre www.lsrc.org.uk 
			 Legal Services Review www.legal-services-review.org.uk 
			 Review of Legal Aid Procurement www.legalaidprocurementreview.gov.uk 
			 Mental Health Review Tribunal www.mhrt.org.uk 
			 National Archives www.nationalarchives.gov.uk 
			 Northern Ireland Court Service www.courtsni.gov.uk 
			 Office of Judicial Complaints www.judicialcomplaints.gov.uk 
			 Office of Legal Services Ombudsman www.olso.org 
			 Office of the Legal Services Complaints Commissioner www.olscc.gov.uk 
			 Official Solicitor and Public Trustee www.officialsolicitor.gov.uk 
			 Pensions Appeal Tribunal www.pensionsappealtribunals.gov.uk 
			 Public Guardianship Office www.guardianship.gov.uk 
			 Social Security and Child Support Appeals Tribunal www.appeals-service.gov.uk 
			 Social Security and Child Support Commissioners www.osscsc.gov.uk 
			 Transport Tribunal www.transporttribunal.gov.uk 
			 Tribunals Review www.tribunals-review.org.uk 
			 Tribunals Service www.tribunals.gov.uk

Dr. David Kelly

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of the compliance by the Oxfordshire Coroner with section 17A(6) of the Coroners Act 1988, in the case of the death of Dr. David Kelly; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: Any review of a decision made by the coroner is a matter for the courts alone.

Dr. David Kelly

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to the answer of 21 July 2005, Official Report, column 1935W. to the hon. Member for Beaconsfield (Mr. Grieve) on Dr. David Kelly, whether the decision not to reopen the inquest means that it is now officially closed.

Harriet Harman: Yes, the inquest into the death of Dr.David Kelly is now closed.

Dr. David Kelly

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs for what reasons the death certificate issued on 18th August 2003 in respect of Dr. David Kelly included the reasons for death before the Hutton Inquiry had reported.

Harriet Harman: Section 17A(2) of the Coroners Act 1988 requires that where a coroner has adjourned an inquest in the event of a public inquiry, he shall send to the registrar of deaths a certificate stating, so far as they are ascertained at that date, the particulars required to be registered under the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953.

Dr. David Kelly

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs who took the decision to issue the death certificate for Dr. David Kelly; and on what date that decision was taken.

Harriet Harman: The Oxfordshire coroner sent the necessary particulars to the registrar of deaths required by section 17A(2) of the Coroners Act 1988 on 18 August 2003.

Electoral System

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many local authorities have a (a) plain English campaign and (b) Charter Mark Certificate for their electoral registration forms.

Bridget Prentice: We are aware that a number of electoral registration officers make alterations to the prescribed annual canvass form so that it meets with plain English principles, although information on how many authorities have done so is not held centrally.
	My Department is currently reviewing the prescribed form with the intention of providing in regulations a new form, based on local authority best practice, which will be both clearer and simpler to read and complete.
	Although a local authority could not gain Charter Mark accreditation for its registration form alone, a good registration form might be indicative of good customer service throughout the authority, which as a whole could lead to a Charter Mark being awarded.

Electoral System

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps the Government is taking to increase voter turnout in elections among young people.

Bridget Prentice: The Government have embarked on a number of initiatives to promote participation in democracy. They do not directly promote voter turnout in elections; that is the role of political parties, the candidates and the Electoral Commission. Examples of what the Government are doing to promote participation include:
	The 1824 Collective campaign, which promoted awareness of voter registration among London's urban youth.
	Funding seven local authorities to explore new methods of voting, working with youth organisations, further and higher education institutions to encourage young people to register to vote and participate in elections.
	Piloting early and mobile voting in the local Government elections in May 2006.
	The Government have made available 2.5 million to support the new power to encourage participation included in the Electoral Administration Bill. It is intended that this money will enable Returning Officers and Electoral Registration Officers in England and Wales to undertake promotional activity, such as posters, leaflet and outreach work in order to encourage registration and/or participation in elections.

House of Lords Reform

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what recent discussions the Government have had regarding House of Lords reform.

Bridget Prentice: The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs, Lord Falconer, has held preliminary discussions with the other parties about a process to see whether a consensus can be found on the way forward on Lords reform.

Hutton Inquiry

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will list individuals who refused permission for statements they had given to Thames Valley Police to be passed to Lord Hutton for his investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr. David Kelly.

Harriet Harman: Such information is not held as part of the inquiry's records.

Hutton Inquiry

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs at what time and on what day the nature of the inquiry into the death of Dr. David Kelly was changed from a judicial inquiry to an inquiry by a judge; and for what reasons.

Harriet Harman: There was at no time any change of status of Lord Hutton's inquiry between its establishment and the publication of the report.

Hutton Inquiry

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will list the individuals who were asked to appear before the Hutton Inquiry into the death of Dr. David Kelly, but who did not do so.

Harriet Harman: None.

Hutton Inquiry

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will list the (a) title and (b) date of each inquiry concluded by Lord Hutton prior to his appointment to lead an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr. David Kelly.

Harriet Harman: The Public Administration Select Committee included a comprehensive list of major inquiries in its first report of the 2004/05 Session (HC 51 I and II), Government by Inquiry (Annex A Inquiries into Matters of Public Concern: 19002004). The table indicates that Lord Hutton has chaired one public inquiry, the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr. David Kelly.

Hutton Inquiry

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs for what reasons the Hutton Inquiry was not established under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921.

Harriet Harman: Lord Hutton did not need the formal powers of the 1921 Act in order to carry out a full and comprehensive inquiry.

Inquests

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether it is a requirement for an inquest to be held in the event of the death of a serving member of (a) MI5 and (b) MI6.

Harriet Harman: The relevant criteria for holding an inquest are set out in section 8 of the Coroners Act 1988 and apply equally whatever the deceased person's employment may have been.

Inquests

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many inquests in Oxfordshire have yet to be opened; how many relate to soldiers who have served in Iraq; and what the date is of the earliest death for which an inquest has not yet been held.

Harriet Harman: I understand from the Oxfordshire coroner that as of 20 April 2006 no inquests remain unopened in relation to soldiers who died in Iraq. Otherwise the number of unopened inquests relating to all other kinds of deaths will be rarely in excess of 3 cases at one time. The earliest deaths in Iraq for which inquests have been opened but not concluded took place on 29 March 2003 when a helicopter crashed killing eight servicemen. Otherwise the coroner believes the earliest death to be that of a prisoner at HMP Bullingdon in 2000.

Judicial Inquiries

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the responsibility for selecting a judge to lead a judicial inquiry has passed from the Lord Chancellor to the Lord Chief Justice.

Harriet Harman: Under the Inquiries Act neither the Lord Chancellor nor the Lord Chief Justice have responsibility for appointing a chairman to an inquiry, even where that chairman is to be a judge. That is the responsibility of the Minister (or Ministers) who are setting up the inquiry.
	The Inquiries Act reflects past practice in that it contains an obligation for the Minister to consult the Lord Chief Justice (or appropriate judicial colleague) before the appointment of any serving judge. This carries with it a requirement to take account of any issues that are raised during consultation. The detail of this process is contained in Section 10 of the Inquiries Act; which is set out as follows:
	
		Section 10 of the Inquiries Act 2005: Appointment of judge as panel member
		
			 Description of judge Person to be consulted 
		
		
			 Lord of Appeal in Ordinary The senior Lord of Appeal in Ordinary 
			 Judge of the Supreme Court of England and Wales, or Circuit judge The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales 
			 Judge of the Court of Session, sheriff principal or sheriff The Lord President of the Court of Session 
			 Judge of the Supreme Court of Northern Ireland, or county court judge in Northern Ireland The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.If the Minister proposes to appoint as a member of an inquiry panel a particular person who is a judge of a description specified in the first column of the table, he must first consult the person specified in the second column.
	2.In this section sheriff principal and sheriff have the same meaning as in the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971 (c. 58).

Judicial Reform

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what funding will be provided for the five-year plan for judicial reform.

Harriet Harman: The Department's strategy 200409, as amplified by Doing Law Differently, sets out the Department's commitment to constitutional and judicial reform. The funding allocated to Judicial Group within DCA, which includes the running costs for the new bodies set up under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 for 200607, is around 25 million. The allocation of funding for 200708 has not been finalised and funding for subsequent years is subject to the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007.

Justices of the Peace Act

David Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the operation of Section 60 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997.

Harriet Harman: The payment of fines and fees, under section 60 of the Justice of the Peace Act (JPA)1997, was a matter for the Justice's Chief Executive of the magistrates courts committee up until March 2005. The Justice's Chief Executive role ceased on 1 April 2005 when magistrates courts committees were abolished and responsibility for magistrates courts along with the payment of fines and fees passed to Her Majesty's Courts Service.

Land Disputes

Mark Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many title deed cases have been referred to the adjudicator at HM Land Registry under section 73 of the Land Registration Act 2002 in each year since 2002.

Harriet Harman: The referral of cases to the Adjudicator to HM Land Registry began after the Land Registry Act 2002 and associated rules came into force 13 October 2003. Cases referred because of a dispute relating to title deeds may include disputes claims based in adverse possession of land against the holder of the documentary title; or disputed claims to ownership of land where the title deeds have been lost or destroyed.
	
		Number of cases referred to the Adjudicator since October 2003
		
			  Total 
		
		
			 October 2003March 2004 137 
			 200405 1,523 
			 200506 1,649 
		
	
	The figures include disputes that do not necessarily relate to title deeds, such as disputed restriction and notice applications. Land Registry does not currently categorise the disputes that are referred to the Adjudicator as 'title deed' and 'non title deed' cases.

Land Disputes

Mark Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many complaints concerning title deeds have been investigated by HM Land Registry in each of the last 10 years; and how many of these complaints have been upheld.

Bridget Prentice: Land Registry records the total number of complaints received annually and these are normally categorised according to the nature of the complaint. Complaints that concern title deeds might include, for example, complaints that title deeds have been lost while in the custody of Land Registry, or that the provisions of a particular title deed have been reflected incorrectly in the register of title. However, complaints concerning title deeds are not recorded as a distinct category. The following figures reflect the total number of complaints received andso far as they have been recorded as suchthe number of complaints considered to be unjustified or misdirected. These figures therefore reflect complaints of all categories, including those that do not concern title deeds such as, for example, complaints about the way in which a particular application has been handled, aspects of the legislation governing land registration or specific Land Registry policies and procedures.
	
		Total number of complaints (all categories)
		
			  Number of complaints recorded as unjustified / misdirected 
		
		
			 199697 578 
			  No record 
			 199798 701 
			  No record 
			 199899 2,059 
			  245 
			 19992000 2,398 
			  699 
			 200001 2,710 
			  810 
			 200102 3,594 
			  891 
			 200203 3,015 
			  1,425 
			 200304 2,849 
			  1,228 
			 200405 2,579 
			  1,181 
			 200506 2,483 
			  1,159

Land Registry Fees

Eric Pickles: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what fee structure the Land Registry uses for those looking to buy or sell a residential property.

Bridget Prentice: Land Registry's fee structure is set out in statutory Fee Orders, the current orders being the Land Registration Fee Order 2004 (SI 2004 No. 595) and the Land Registration Fee (Amendment) Order 2004 (SI 2004 No. 1833).

Land Registry Fees

Eric Pickles: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what charges the Land Registry will levy for the provision of information for home information packs.

Bridget Prentice: No special charging arrangements will be made by Land Registry for the provision of information for home information packs. As with other statutory services provided by Land Registry, the fees for official copies of the register and other relevant documents will be those contained in the Land Registration Fee Order which is current at the time.

Legal Aid

Si�n James: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on access to legal aid for people who claim state benefits.

Harriet Harman: Those in receipt of income support, income based jobseeker's allowance, or guarantee state pension credit, automatically qualify financially for legal aid. Income received from other state benefits is assessed as part of the financial means test for civil legal aid.

Lords of Appeal

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs which Lords of Appeal in Ordinary who were serving on 18 July 2003 had expertise in media law.

Harriet Harman: The term media law is not precise and media law includes a number of areas of law, for example, contract law, tort, insurance law, human rights and freedom of expression (article 10 of the ECHR), and other areas. The Government believes that all Lords of Appeal in Ordinary serving on 18 July 2003 had, whether as counsel or judges or both, exposure to these areas of law.

Magistrates Courts

Vera Baird: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the sum spent in 2005 on trials and hearings in magistrates courts that did not go ahead.

Harriet Harman: The National Audit Office (NAO) report estimated that ineffective trials and hearings cost the criminal justice system 173 million and, of this figure, the courts was responsible for 21 million. The defence was responsible for 96 million, the police for 24 million, the Crown Prosecution Service for 24 million and the police and the CPS together for a further 8 million. The NAO found examples of good practice and the recommendations will help improve performance. We are working with the police and the CPS to improve performance in the magistrates courts. The proportion of ineffective trials has declined from 31 per cent. in 2002 to 21 per cent. in September 2005.

Magistrates Courts

Vera Baird: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps she plans to take to ensure the implementation of the recommendations made by the National Audit Office on reducing waste and delay caused by ineffective hearings and trials in magistrates courts.

Harriet Harman: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Djanogly) on 27 February 2006, Official Report, column 112W.

Ministerial Cars (Fuel Cars)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the fuel costs were for ministerial cars used by her Department in each of the last five years.

Bridget Prentice: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Transport (Dr. Ladyman) on 27 April 2006, Official Report, column 1227W.

National Archives Website

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will take steps to ensure that the National Archives History National Curriculum website makes it clear for teachers and pupils that Schedule 5 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 abolished the Lord Chancellor's Instrument No. 12 of 1966 and the 100-year Census closure rule as of 1 January 2005.

Harriet Harman: The relevant section of the Learning Curve website run by The National Archives has now been amended to make it clear that Government policy is the basis for the 100-year closure period that applies to decennial census returns.

Sentencing

David Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what training judges receive on consistency in sentencing; what steps she (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to encourage consistency in sentencing; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: Following the recent constitutional reforms, the responsibility for judicial training lies with the Lord Chief Justice as head of the judiciary, rather than with Ministers. This responsibility is exercised through the Judicial Studies Board (JSB), an independent body chaired by Lord Justice Keene.
	The JSB provides sentencing exercises for the Crown court judiciary at a variety of training events, including continuation seminars that are attended every three years and annual circuit events. All magistrates have been issued with an Adult Court Bench Book, published by the Judicial Studies Board. This bench book includes a structured decision-making guide for use when making sentencing decisions and also includes a copy of the Magistrates' Court Sentencing Guidelines.
	Judges are responsible for sentencing in individual cases and are governed by the statutory framework laid down by Parliament. Judges will also consider any relevant case law, Court of Appeal decisions and guidelines issued by the Sentencing Guidelines Council, which was introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 2003 partly with the aim of increasing consistency in sentencing.

Tribunals Service

Vincent Cable: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps are being taken to raise public awareness of the Tribunals Service.

Bridget Prentice: In addition to the public launch events attended by stakeholders held on 3 April at five major cities across Great Britain, the following steps are being taken to raise awareness of the new Tribunals Service:
	individual tribunals are continuing to work with their existing stakeholders and user groups to promote awareness of the new Service;
	prominently displayed links to the Tribunals Service website www.tribunals.gov.uk have been and are being established for example from the 'Direct Gov', Department for Constitutional Affairs and HMCS websites www.direct-gov.uk, www.dca.gov.uk and www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk) respectively; and
	public Tribunals Service signage has been displayed on some buildings and will continue to be as local hearing centres become increasingly shared by the tribunals.

PRIME MINISTER

Children's Services

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Prime Minister how many nursery and crche places are provided for people working in his Office and employees of other Departments working in Downing street; what charges are made for the provision of such services; and what other facilities are provided for children of such employees.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I have therefore asked my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Murphy) to reply. A copy of the reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

Civil Servants

Derek Conway: To ask the Prime Minister what advice has been issued to Ministers on the presence of civil servants at Labour party events during elections.

Tony Blair: Guidance to civil servants on their conduct during both the general election and local elections is available in the Libraries of the House.

Corporate Hospitality

David Simpson: To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions he has accepted corporate hospitality in the last 12 months.

Tony Blair: Paragraph 5.28 of the Ministerial Code sets out the rules on the registration of hospitality.

Departmental Estate

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Mr. Liddell-Grainger), of 16 March 2006, Official Report, column 2393W, on the departmental estate, how much of the sum was spent on (a) the 10 Downing street flat, (b) 10 Downing street other than the flat, (c) the 11 Downing street flat, (d) 11 Downing street other than the flat and (e) 12 Downing street, apportioning common works proportionately where applicable.

Tony Blair: The figures are not held in the format requested. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 10 March 2006, Official Report, columns 183637W, and to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Mr. Liddell-Grainger) on 16 March 2006, Official Report, column 2393W.

Departmental Websites

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list (a) the websites operated by 10 Downing street and (b) the reports placed on the internet in March 2006, indicating in each case whether paper copies were also made available.

Tony Blair: My Office operates the 10Downing street website www.pm.gov.uk. Reports and other publications are regularly placed on the site. Paper copies are made available as and when necessary.

E-communication

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Prime Minister what guidance he has issued to Ministers who may wish (a) to podcast and (b) to blog.

Tony Blair: Ministers who may wish to podcast or blog should take account of the requirements of the Ministerial Code.

Home Secretary

Nick Herbert: To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library (a) a copy of the letter from the Home Secretary offering his resignation and (b) his response.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the press briefing given by my Official Spokesman on 2 May, a copy of which is available on the No. 10 website.

Honours (Prevention of Abuses ) Act

David Amess: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  when he last met (a) the Lord Chancellor, (b) the Secretary of State for the Home Department and (c) the Attorney-General to discuss the operation of the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with (a) the First Minister of Scotland and (b) the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland about the operation of the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925 in those countries; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  whether he has discussed the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925 with (a) junior and (b) Cabinet Ministers; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: I have regular meetings and discussions with ministerial colleagues and others on a wide range of subjects. Information relating to internal meetings, discussion and advice is not disclosed as to do so could harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion.

Honours (Prevention of Abuses ) Act

David Amess: To ask the Prime Minister how many (a) males and (b) females have been (i) prosecuted and (ii) convicted of an offence under the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925 in each year since 1976.

Tony Blair: The information requested is not held centrally.

Hutton Report

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the four countries referred to in paragraph 165 of the Hutton Report of 28 January 2004.

Tony Blair: No. The Government co-operated fully with the Hutton Inquiry.

Ministerial Code

Nigel Evans: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the information he has declared to the Cabinet Secretary under the ministerial code.

Tony Blair: My interests are set out in the Register of Members' Interests.

Official Residences

Justine Greening: To ask the Prime Minister when (a) 10 and (b) 11 Downing street were last decorated externally; what plans he has to re-decorate externally (i) 10 and (ii) 11 Downing street in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: The last major external redecoration works took place as part of the large scale rebuilding works that took place between 1960 and 1963. Minor external redecoration last took place in the mid 1990s. There are no plans to carry out any external redecoration in the coming 12 months.

Official Residences

David Simpson: To ask the Prime Minister how much has been spent on (a) furnishings, (b) repairs and (c) decorating for (i) 10 Downing street and (ii) Chequers in each of the last five years.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 27 March 2006, Official Report, column 702W, by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Murphy) to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker).
	Chequers was established under the Chequers Estate Acts 1917 and 1958 and is administered by independent trustees who receive an annual grant from public funds towards its maintenance and to cover staff employed at Chequers in accordance with the Acts.

Organogram

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister when he plans to issue an updated version of the 28 April 2004 organogram of the No. 10 organisation.

Tony Blair: I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 18 April 2006, Official Report, column 400W.

Overseas Trips (Journalists)

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  whether journalists accompanying him on overseas trips are required to pay for their own air tickets;
	(2)  which journalists have accompanied him on each official overseas visit since 2001.

Tony Blair: All the main news organisations are invited to accompany me on official overseas visits as and when appropriate. Journalists meet the costs of their airfare.

Parliamentary Questions

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister what training in (a) freedom of information requirements, (b) the ministerial code and (c) the February 2005 Cabinet Office guidance to departments is required to be undertaken by (i)officials and (ii) special advisers involved in drafting answers for him to written parliamentary questions; and what review process is in place to establish whether they are adhering to (A) legislative requirements and (B) internal guidance.

Tony Blair: In accordance with the ministerial code, Ministers are accountable for the decisions and actions of their Departments, including answers to parliamentary questions.
	A range of training and guidance is available to those involved in drafting answers to parliamentary questions.

Raymond McCord Junior

Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will meet Raymond McCord Senior to discuss allegations of collusion in the murder of his son Raymond McCord Junior and related cases.

Tony Blair: I understand that this case is currently being investigated by the Historical Enquiry Team (HET), set up to review unresolved deaths in Northern Ireland resulting from the security situation between 1968 and April 1998. I also understand that the Police Ombudsman's office is carrying out an investigation into this case. I am sure the hon. Member will appreciate that it would therefore be inappropriate for Ministers to meet with Mr. McCord in advance of the Ombudsman's report.

Strategic Health Authorities

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Prime Minister what meetings he has held with the chief executives of strategic health authorities since 1 January 2006; for what reasons these meetings were held; and what the content of the discussions was.

Tony Blair: My officials and I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals on a wide range of subjects. Information relating to internal meetings, discussion and advice is not disclosed as to do so could harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion.
	I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Northavon (Steve Webb) on 27 February 2006, Official Report, column 37W, and to the Health summit I held at Downing street on 12 April. Details of this can be found on the No. 10 website.

Suicide Bombings (Israel)

David Amess: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the occasions when he has condemned (a) suicide and (b) other terrorist attacks in Israel; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: This is a matter of public record and can be found in speeches and statements I have made, copies of which are available on the No. 10 website.

Trade Deals

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Prime Minister how many trade deals he signed in each of the last eight years; and with which countries.

Tony Blair: The European Commission has competence for EU trade policy, and conducts all trade negotiations on behalf of EU member states.
	Information on trade agreements can also be found on the Europa website:
	http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/bilateral/index_en.htm

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Best Value Performance Indicators

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the best value performance indicators that have been collected from local authorities in relation to libraries in each year since 199798.

Phil Woolas: Best value performance indicators (BVPIs) have been collected from local authorities since 200001. Details of BVPIs relating to libraries which have been collected since then are set out as follows:
	
		
			  BVPI 
		
		
			 200001 (19)115 
			  (20)117 
			  (21)118 
			   
			 200102 115 
			  117 
			   
			 200203 115 
			  117 
			   
			 200304 117 
			  118 
			   
			 200405 117 
			   
			 200506 (22)220 
		
	
	(19)The cost per visit to public libraries
	(20)The number of visits per head of population to public libraries
	(21)The percentage of library users who found the book/information they wanted, or reserved it, and were satisfied with the outcome
	(22)Compliance with the Public Library Service Standards

Building Regulations

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the consultation for the changes to Part P Building Regulations due to come into effect in April 2006 (a) commenced and (b) finished.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC) and the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) were consulted before the new edition of AD P was published, and BRAC approved the changes at the December 2005 meeting. The changes were not substantial but were minor ones covering procedure and clarification.

Building Regulations

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what changes will be made to Part P building regulations in April.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Approved Document P has not been altered significantly. There have been some minor amendments designed to clarify the definitions of notifiable and non-notifiable Part P work and to set out more clearly procedures to be followed by local authorities.

Capita

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the number of contracts Capita has with local government organisations.

Phil Woolas: The information requested is not held centrally.

Departmental Staff Survey

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 10 March 2006, Official Report, column 1834W, on the departmental staff survey, when he will place in the Library a copy of the narrative report.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Eight paper copies of the report were sent to the deposited papers clerk, at the House of Commons Library on the 28 March 2006.

Domestic House Sales

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate the Government has made of the number of domestic properties placed on the market for sale in England in each year since 1997.

Yvette Cooper: Information on the number of domestic properties placed on the market for sale is not collected centrally. However information on the number of properties so!4 since 1996 is available from the Land Registry and published on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister website at:
	http://www.odpm.gov.uk/pub/162/Table588Excel87Kb_ id1156162.xls

Equal Pay

Vincent Cable: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps are undertaken within his Department to ensure that women are obtaining equal pay to men doing work of equal value.

Jim Fitzpatrick: It is our practice to equality proof annual pay awards and key inputs to pay awards.

Free Bus Travel

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will take steps to ensure that the money allocated to local authorities to cover the cost of the free bus travel policy announced in the Budget is spent solely for that purpose.

Phil Woolas: Government funding for the cost of free bus travel, as for many other services provided by local authorities, is distributed through the unhypothecated formula grant. This enables councils to take their own decisions on local funding priorities, accountable to local people. The Government are considering the implementation of the national scheme for free bus travel, as announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the whole issue of the efficiency and effectiveness of current arrangements for bus travel, in the context of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007.

Home Inspection Packs

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the timetable is for the introduction of home inspection packs.

Yvette Cooper: Home information packs will be introduced on 1 June 2007.

Housing (Lettings and Allocations)

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of choice-based housing lettings policy by local authorities; if he will provide additional guidance on how councils should determine between housing choice and need in their allocation schemes; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: An independent evaluation of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister-funded choice-based lettings (CBL) pilot scheme was carried out and a report published in May 2004. The evaluation report showed that the pilots were successful in offering increased choice to social housing applicants and that applicants largely welcomed the move to CBL, feeling that it gave them greater choice and control and increased the transparency of the lettings process. Local authorities were also very positive about their experience of CBL. In order to build on the evaluation and assess the longer term impacts of CBL, ODPM has commissioned Heriot Watt University to undertake further research which is currently underway and scheduled to complete by summer 2006.
	ODPM is committed to producing statutory guidance to local authorities on choice based lettings. This will include advice on how to frame a CBL scheme which offers applicants a choice of accommodation while continuing to meet the statutory obligation to ensure that priority for social housing goes to those in greater housing need. The guidance will also be issued for consultation later this year.

Local Government Finance

David Kidney: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will enable local authorities to retain the additional income raised from abolishing the council tax discount on empty homes.

Phil Woolas: When the Government introduced new powers for local authorities to reduce the council tax discount on long term empty homes in 2003 we concluded that, to ensure that any decision to reduce the discount was made on housing grounds not for financial reasons, the additional resources raised should be distributed nationally. We have no plans to change the current arrangements.

Local Government Finance

David Kidney: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many local authorities have used the discretionary powers contained in the Local Government Act 2003 to abolish the council tax discount on (a) second homes and (b) empty homes.

Phil Woolas: As at 10 October 2005:
	(a) 244 authorities (69 per cent. of billing authorities) were using their discretionary powers to reduce the council tax discount offered to second homes; and,
	(b) 186 authorities (53 per cent. of billing authorities) were using their discretionary powers to reduce the council tax discount offered to long term empty homes.
	These figures are generated using the CTB1(S) form, which was completed by 353 billing authorities (that is, all authorities with the single exception of Wandsworth, which has therefore been excluded from the figures).

Local Government Finance

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what funds have been allocated by the Government to each Greater London Borough Council in each of the last eight years.

Phil Woolas: The information available is shown in the following table.
	
		Government grant allocated to each greater London borough council from 199899 to 200506 -- 000
		
			  199899 199900 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 City of London 85,052 86,929 88,806 92,503 101,051 116,301 121,278 125,061 
			 Camden 200,121 208,994 218,845 237,742 248,752 266,756 286,979 330,004 
			 Greenwich 207,230 225,508 246,101 264,300 276,789 317,948 338,057 351,270 
			 Hackney 246,385 258,648 272,945 288,231 338,591 371,425 391,775 408,216 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 148,850 159,107 168,927 180,845 190,898 213,397 223,648 230,169 
			 Islington 201,697 224,987 243,470 257,123 272,635 310,144 313,671 339,010 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 120,870 127,582 136,376 142,022 152,609 175,652 176,988 184,014 
			 Lambeth 266,091 284,441 297,079 315,585 339,190 370,394 387,923 400,164 
			 Lewisham 234,615 249,200 271,900 283,458 293,515 353,362 392,906 375,722 
			 Southwark 252,635 279,265 313,860 326,016 351,218 427,964 457,163 435,418 
			 Tower Hamlets 269,788 289,204 310,219 335,064 359,807 409,164 438,278 470,231 
			 Wandsworth 208,076 218,592 229,475 240,694 248,308 279,577 285,924 294,774 
			 Westminster 205,743 214,927 223,983 234,166 248,985 283,096 288,940 301,905 
			 Barking and Dagenham 136,439 153,355 168,827 181,277 193,347 223,681 223,364 237,538 
			 Barnet 197,653 206,389 222,831 240,316 241,925 268,501 282,047 291,894 
			 Bexley 138,397 150,293 161,768 174,242 183,207 200,136 207,772 217,696 
			 Brent 228,112 237,213 250,397 269,426 276,662 324,396 346,623 351,665 
			 Bromley 158,935 170,679 184,021 198,772 199,956 222,117 231,040 240,993 
			 Croydon 213,961 223,053 243,635 266,718 288,307 321,602 340,776 348,684 
			 Ealing 219,684 231,883 248,310 268,568 277,684 302,347 311,933 330,313 
			 Enfield 202,007 219,856 240,111 264,089 275,061 307,878 323,901 334,760 
			 Haringey 217,479 236,886 270,816 296,350 301,816 336,846 344,869 330,309 
			 Harrow 124,974 131,021 140,587 151,243 160,383 182,826 193,032 197,054 
			 Havering 129,039 137,320 148,095 160,585 166,805 182,496 192,558 200,620 
			 Hillingdon 156,474 173,676 171,976 209,693 214,850 235,171 250,302 275,883 
			 Hounslow 164,042 175,518 185,410 198,506 205,749 224,736 236,326 247,493 
			 Kingston upon Thames 75,483 80,037 86,752 94,245 96,829 109,459 115,155 124,820 
			 Merton 107,148 116,318 123,479 128,796 132,213 147,252 162,299 172,209 
			 Newham 286,302 308,655 335,547 362,671 391,428 447,333 458,173 484,876 
			 Redbridge 167,213 183,073 202,581 219,850 212,881 235,121 250,203 259,094 
			 Richmond upon Thames 75,758 81,937 94,629 100,260 106,081 116,903 118,025 122,849 
			 Sutton 106,006 114,785 124,048 132,822 135,718 154,422 170,483 177,818 
			 Waltham Forest 192,707 210,339 229,063 248,061 263,757 278,861 294,979 295,469 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Government grant is defined here as the sum of specific grants inside Aggregate External Finance, formula grant (revenue support grant, redistributed business rates and police grant) and Greater London Authority (GLA) grant.
	2.Changes in grants between years may be affected by changing local authority responsibilities.
	3.The information excludes those grant programmes, such as European funding, where authorities are simply one of the recipients of funding paid towards an area.

Local Government White Paper

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the Local Government White Paper will be published.

Phil Woolas: It is the Government's intention to publish a White Paper on the future of local government in England this summer.

Neighbourhood Renewal Projects

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans the Government have for neighbourhood renewal projects in (a) Romford and (b) Havering.

Phil Woolas: Support under the Government's neighbourhood renewal initiative is targeted at the most deprived parts of England, as determined by indices of deprivation which were last updated in 2004. Havering does not rank sufficiently high on the indices to qualify. Nevertheless, Havering is now beginning to prepare its Local Area Agreement (LAA), to be implemented from April 2007. While this does not involve additional funding, it is a powerful tool for driving forward regeneration and renewal, and provides an opportunity to focus on the needs of priority areas within Havering.

Neighbourhood Renewal Projects

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been allocated to neighbourhood renewal schemes in (a) Romford, (b) Havering and (c) each London borough in each of the last eight years.

Yvette Cooper: Havering, incorporating Romford, does not qualify for support under the Government's neighbourhood renewal initiative.
	Neighbourhood renewal funding received over the last eight years by the eligible London boroughs is contained in the following table. This shows aggregated figures for the following neighbourhood renewal elements: neighbourhood renewal fund, new deal for communities, neighbourhood management pathfinders, and the single community programme.
	
		Neighbourhood renewal funding by borough -- 
		
			  199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham1,001,992 1,476,606 
			 Brent  10,000 245,300 1,868,212 4,108,686 
			 Camden2,542,997 3,910,759 
			 Croydon452,813 651,152 
			 Ealing628,216 914,794 
			 Enfield1,120,993 1,654,472 
			 Greenwich2,375,563 3,741,249 
			 Hackney 1,026,300 2,924,000  14,473,832 16,273,373 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham   309,500 998,278 4,198,525 
			 Haringey   10,000 5,502,601 9,351,955 
			 Islington  10,000 400,000 4,334,217 7,024,237 
			 Kensington and Chelsea713,823 1,043,467 
			 Lambeth  10,000 400,000 2,340,384 4,514,748 
			 Lewisham  10,000 417,057 2,557,150 8,660,129 
			 Newham  332,786 1,724,626 13,275,140 18,211,210 
			 Southwark 13,050 653,455 1,153,700 5,790,044 10,513,274 
			 Tower Hamlets  450,000 35,500 11,292,148 14,919,815 
			 Waltham Forest1,482,290 2,198,528 
			 Wandsworth350,000 495,000 
			 Westminster931,006 1,369,910 
			  1,039,350 4,400,241 4,695,683 74,031,699 115,231,889 
		
	
	
		
		
			  200304 200405 200506 Total 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 1,956,088 2,050,699 1,918,546 8,403,931 
			 Brent 7,683,942 9,662,942 12,732,117 36,311,199 
			 Camden 5,339,524 6,928,523 8,232,849 26,954,652 
			 Croydon 844,139 824,139 813,563 3,585,806 
			 Ealing 1,199,286 1,199,286 1,166,485 5,108,067 
			 Enfield 2,196,024 2,179,492 2,156,977 9,307,958 
			 Greenwich 5,057,875 6,024,855 7,658,857 24,858,399 
			 Hackney 18,040,555 23,066,793 27,670,121 103,474,974 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 6,259,942 7,865,857 9,467,340 29,099,442 
			 Haringey 12,127,622 14,617,288 18,250,090 59,859,556 
			 Islington 13,301,280 14,435,988 18,734,214 58,239,936 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 1,372,614 1,372,613 1,338,728 5,841,245 
			 Lambeth 9,900,930 11,425,562 11,826,300 40,417,924 
			 Lewisham 6,924,803 7,674,066 8,524,853 34,768,058 
			 Newham 20,070,476 29,884,627 32,888,158 116,387,023 
			 Southwark 12,703,996 15,178,778 17,425,970 63,432,267 
			 Tower Hamlets 17,848,196 20,138,714 24,389,589 89,073,962 
			 Waltham Forest 2,928,585 3,180,165 3,184,942 12,974,510 
			 Wandsworth 630,000 632,663 603,274 2,710,937 
			 Westminster 1,812,366 2,080,367 2,075,721 8,269,370 
			  148,198,243 180,423,417 211,058,694 739,079,216

Ordnance Survey

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many requests Ordnance Survey has received for information under the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005; and how many requests were refused (a) in whole and (b) in part.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Since the implementation of the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005 on 1 July last year, Ordnance Survey has received four requests under the legislation. One request was granted in full. In line with published guidance, the other three were treated as requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and were therefore not applicable under this legislation.
	There have been no refusals in whole or part by Ordnance Survey under the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005.

Ordnance Survey

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 22 March 2006, Official Report, column 401W, on Ordnance Survey, what the nature is of the contractual relationship with Getmapping.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Getmapping is a supplier of imagery to Ordnance Survey, and is also one of many licensed partners of Ordnance Survey who develop and market services that add further value to Ordnance Survey data and meet the diverse needs of users of geographic information.

Ordnance Survey

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans Ordnance Survey has to make public data freely available to the public.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Ordnance Survey has been making mapping and geographic information available to the public for over 200 years.
	As a government trading fund focused on the collection,maintenance and dissemination of geographic information, it is a core component of Ordnance Survey policy to ensure that its data is readily available to all who wish to use it. In recent years, there has been a steady growth in the use of such data in commerce, government and leisure activities.
	Ordnance Survey, like all trading funds, is charged with delivering a financial return to government. Consequently it charges for the provision and maintenance of its data. It is also expected to invest for the future to meet the increasingly sophisticated requirements of its customers and partners. Ordnance Survey does not receive any funds voted directly by Parliament. Instead it generates its revenue from the licensing of its data into the market place. This business model has helped underpin the efficiency, quality and service improvements that ensure the sustainability of the organisation.

Planning

John Spellar: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what planning guidance his Department has issued to local authorities on applications for change of use from reservoirs.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of Deputy Prime Minister has not issued any planning guidance for change of use from reservoirs specifically. Circular 03/2005, Changes of Use of Buildings and Land offers general guidance to local authorities on general applications for change of use.

Planning

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will publish the new Planning Policy Statement3.

Yvette Cooper: Consultation closed on 27 February 2006. We will publish a revised statement later in the year.

Residental and Nursing Homes

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the weekly amount paid in each local authority towards adults in (a) residential homes and (b) nursing homes was in each of the last six years.

Liam Byrne: I have been asked to reply.
	Information is not held centrally in the form requested. The average gross weekly expenditure on residential and nursing care for older people for each local authority in England for the financial years 19992000 to 200405, the latest for which data is available, has been placed in the Library. These figures are provided by local authorities. The figures for 19992000 are not directly comparable to those for subsequent years because they are based on gross expenditure whereas later years are based on gross total cost. The difference is that gross total cost includes capital charges and certain types of income received such as income from joint arrangements with other local authorities.
	Similar information for adults aged 18 to 64 with physical disabilities or sensory impairments, learning disabilities and mental health needs is available on the NHS and Social Care Information Centre's website at www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/persocservexp2005.

Residential Development

Greg Clark: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment his Department has made of trends in the loss of privately-owned green space as a result of residential development.

Yvette Cooper: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 11 January 2006, Official Report, column 691W.

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 20 March 2006, Official Report, columns 734W, on the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), if the data supplied to the VOA from the National Register of Social Housing included information on the property attributes of individual homes.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	The data supplied to the Valuation Office Agency from the National Register of Social Housing did not include any information on the property attributes of individuals' homes.

Valuebill local-egovt CD

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  if he will place in the Library a copy of the latest version of the Valuebill local-egovt national project CD;
	(2)  when he will introduce the Valuebill project.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The development phase of the Valuebill project formally closed at the end of March 2005. Ownership and responsibility for sustainability has migrated to London Connects, the pan-London e-Government partnership. London Connects is currently involved in a number of initiatives to ensure roll out of the product set including distributing them on CD to all appropriate English local authorities. Copies of this CD have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Warrington (Housing)

Helen Jones: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1) what assessment he has made of the effect of house prices in Warrington on the ability of first time buyers to purchase property in the area;
	(2)  what steps he is taking to encourage the provision of more affordable housing in Warrington.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 24 April 2006
	The North West Regional Housing Strategy recognised the impact of rising house prices in the region and made theprovision of affordable houses its second priority after urban regeneration. The Government have allocated around 45 per cent. of the region's housing resources to providing affordable housing, which includes first time buyers. Within Warrington, the Housing Corporation has allocated 1.7 million to help provide affordable housing in the Robson street scheme. Warrington council has also made use of the Private Finance Initiative to provide affordable housing for rent.

HEALTH

Every Child Matters

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance she has given to primary care trusts on the priority which they should give in allocating their budgets to fulfilling their responsibilities under the Every Child Matters initiative; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The Every Child Matters: Change for Children programme is a joint programme between the Department and the Department for Education and Skills, which sets out the national framework for local change programmes to build services around the needs of children and young people.
	Since the launch of the programme in 2004, a range of documents and guidance has been published to support local delivery. These set out primary care trusts' (PCTs) responsibilities under the Children Act 2004, the legislation underpinning the Every Child Matters programme. Chief executives in PCTs are alerted to relevant guidance published under the Every Child Matters programme through the Department's bulletin to chief executives. PCTs are responsible for deciding how to prioritise and allocate their budgets, taking into account the full needs of their local population.
	All guidance issued under the Every Child Matters programme is available on its website at: www.everychildmatters.gov.uk

AE Departments

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals in England have category (a) 1, (b) 2 and (c) 3 accident and emergency departments.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 2 May 2006
	National health service trusts self-report the number of accident and emergency (AE) services they provide against definitions set by the Department for the three types of AE. The information available is shown in the table and this was the position at the end of December 2005.
	
		
			  Number of departments (England) 
		
		
			 Type 1 (major) AE departments 204 
			 Type 2 (single specialty) AE departments 85 
			 Type 3 AE departments (minor injury and illness  services including minor injury units, including  walk-in centres) 321 
		
	
	Source:
	QMAE

Alcohol

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average alcohol consumption per person, per visit to a pub or bar, was in (a) Southend-on-Sea, (b) Essex, (c) the Metropolitan police area of London and (d) England in each of the last five years for which information is available.

Caroline Flint: The information requested is not held centrally. However, data are available on the mean alcohol consumption (in units) among adults (aged 16 and over) from 1996 to 2002 for England, for each Government office region (GOR) and strategic health authority (SHA). Information on outlets where alcohol is purchased is also available.
	Table 1 provides the mean alcohol consumption per week, in units for adults (aged 16 and over) for each Government office region, including London GOR, and SHAs (including Essex) from 1996 to 2002 using three-year moving averages. The results are taken from Health Survey for England: Health  lifestyles indicators for Strategic Health Authorities 19942002.
	Table 2 shows the percentage of adults (aged 16 and above) who had bought alcohol at the four main types of outlet in the last week: by sex and average weekly alcohol consumption in 2004, Great Britain.
	
		Table 1: Age standardised(23) mean alcohol consumption (units) per week among adults(24), from 19962002 by three-year moving average(25) for each Government office region and strategic health authorityEngland -- Units
		
			  199698 199799 19982000 19992001 200002 
		
		
			 England 12.0 12.1 12.4 12.4 12.6 
			   
			 North East 14.0 13.6 13.7 13.6 13.8 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley 14.8 14.4 13.9 13.9 13.8 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 13.5 13.0 13.9 13.4 13.8 
			 North West 13.3 13.4 14.1 14.4 14.6 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside 12.4 12.5 13.0 13.7 14.8 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire 13.4 13.7 13.9 13.7 13.4 
			 Greater Manchester 14.1 14.1 15.4 15.8 15.5 
			   
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 13.4 14.3 14.8 14.4 14.1 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire 12.5 14.0 15.3 14.7 14.5 
			 South Yorkshire 13.7 13.9 13.7 13.1 13.3 
			 West Yorkshire 14.2 14.9 14.9 14.7 14.1 
			   
			 East Midlands 11.3 11.9 12.1 12.3 12.0 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland 10.7 11.5 11.7 12.1 12.1 
			 Trent 11.6 12.1 12.4 12.5 12.0 
			   
			 West Midlands 11.8 11.2 11.2 11.5 12.1 
			 Birmingham and the Black Country 12.2 11.7 11.3 11.6 11.5 
			 West Midlands South 11.5 10.6 11.0 11.7 13.7 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire 11.6 11.1 11.1 11.4 11.3 
			   
			 East of England 10.8 10.8 11.2 11.4 11.9 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 11.5 11.9 12.2 12.5 12.4 
			 Essex 10.2 9.7 10.9 11.4 12.4 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 10.7 10.8 10.6 10.5 11.0 
			   
			 London 10.4 10.1 10.4 10.4 10.8 
			 North Central London 10.0 9.7 9.9 10.3 10.9 
			 North East London 8.9 8.7 7.8 7.6 8.0 
			 North West London 9.9 9.8 10.7 10.7 12.0 
			 South East London 11.1 10.8 11.8 12.2 12.0 
			 South West London 12.3 12.0 12.0 12.3 11.6 
			   
			 South East 12.1 12.1 12.0 12.1 12.4 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 12.0 12.2 11.5 10.9 10.9 
			 Kent and Medway 11.9 11.8 11.2 11.4 11.1 
			 Surrey and Sussex 12.4 12.3 12.3 13.0 13.0 
			 Thames Valley 12.0 11.8 12.3 12.4 13.3 
			   
			 South West 11.7 12.0 12.4 11.8 11.6 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 11.7 12.6 13.2 12.2 11.8 
			 Dorset and Somerset 12.3 12.1 11.4 10.7 11.4 
			 South West Peninsula 11.1 11.5 12.1 11.9 11.5 
		
	
	(23)Data have been age- standardised to take into account differences in age distributions between the SHAs, using the direct standardisation method.
	(24)Adults aged 16 and over.
	(25)To reduce random variation resulting from small sample sizes in each individual year from 1996 to 2002, the method of moving averages was used, where three years of data are combined together.
	Source:
	Health Survey for England: Health and lifestyle indicators for Strategic Health Authorities 19942002. Department of Health
	
		Table 2: Percentage of adults(26)who had bought alcohol at the four main types of outlet in the last week: by sex and average weekly alcohol consumption, 2004, Great Britain -- Percentage
		
			 Weekly alcohol consumption Licensed bar Supermarket Restaurant Off-licence Base (=100 per cent.) 
		
		
			 Men  
			 Non-drinker 1 3 0 1 187 
			 Less than 1 unit 4 6 5 2 179 
			 110 units 31 22 17 3 539 
			 1121 units 53 39 24 8 321 
			 22 units and over 71 41 28 20 356 
			 All men 38 26 18 8 1,582 
			   
			 Women  
			 Non-drinker 1 3 1 0 295 
			 Less than 1 unit 5 6 6 1 403 
			 110 units 23 28 18 2 718 
			 1121 units 39 40 28 6 278 
			 22 units and over 50 48 29 12 256 
			 All women 22 24 16 4 1,950 
		
	
	(26)Adults aged 16 and over.
	Source:
	Drinking: Adults' Behaviour and Knowledge in 2004. Office for National Statistics

Alcohol

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the average alcohol consumption per person, per visit to a pub or bar, in each country in the European Union in each of the last five years for which information is available.

Caroline Flint: The information requested is not held centrally. However, data is available on adult per capita alcohol consumption. The table provides the average adult (aged 15 and over) per capita pure alcohol consumption (in litres) for the last five years available for each of the European Union countries.
	
		Recorded per capita alcohol consumption in European Union countries, 1997 to 2001 -- Litres
		
			 Country 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Austria 13.03 12.76 12.79 12.92 12.58 
			 Belgium 11.19 10.07 10.24 10.21 10.06 
			 Cyprus 6.4 6.58 6.57 6.61 6.67 
			 Czech Republic 16.47 16.37 16.48 16.33 16.21 
			 Denmark 12.51 11.98 11.92 11.98 11.93 
			 Estonia 8.14 8.6 8.02 8.98 9.85 
			 Finland 9.66 9.76 9.98 10.03 10.43 
			 France 14.18 13.97 13.77 13.41 13.54 
			 Germany 13.5 13.23 13.23 12.99 12.89 
			 Greece 9.96 9.45 9.92 9.43 9.3 
			 Hungary 12.45 12.63 11.96 11.94 11.92 
			 Ireland 12.83 13.15 13.79 14.21 14.45 
			 Italy 9.82 9.55 9.36 9.32 9.14 
			 Latvia 8.88 8.91 9.57 9.43 9.31 
			 Lithuania 11.65 10.83 11.26 12.21 12.32 
			 Luxembourg 16.79 18.92 18.36 18.56 17.54 
			 Malta 6.37 6.6 6.72 6.95 6.74 
			 Netherlands 9.96 9.88 9.91 9.84 9.74 
			 Poland 8.5 8.48 8.61 8.54 8.68 
			 Portugal 13.5 13.29 12.96 12.8 12.49 
			 Slovakia 13.07 12.33 12.62 12.44 12.41 
			 Slovenia 11.14 8.26 7.87 11.6 6.55 
			 Spain 12 11.88 11.82 11.92 12.25 
			 Sweden 7.28 6.98 7.07 6.97 6.86 
			 United Kingdom 10.23 9.92 10.25 10.23 10.39 
		
	
	n/a=Data not available.
	Source:
	World Health Organization statistical information system

Alcohol

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when her Department will publish the final report on models of care for alcohol misusers; and what assessment she has made of the merits of providing ring-fenced funding for tackling alcohol misuse.

Caroline Flint: The Department intends to publish models of care for alcohol misusers within the next few months. We are not considering ring-fenced funding for alcohol treatment services, funding of these services is part of the normal responsibilities of primary care trusts.

Alzheimer's Disease

Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the mild stages of Alzheimer's disease will be affected by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence draft recommendation on the three anticholinisterase drugs.

Jane Kennedy: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's (NICE) appraisal consultation document on donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine (review) and memantine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, does not constitute its formal guidance on this technology.
	The recommendations in the draft guidance are preliminary and may change before final publication, and it would be therefore inappropriate to comment further at this stage. NICE is currently considering responses to its consultation and will issue final guidance later in the year. Until that time, NICE'S original guidance on drugs for Alzheimer's disease, published in 2001, continues to apply.

Ambulance Response Times

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average response time for ambulances to get to an emergency call-out in (a) England and (b) Taunton constituency was in the last year for which figures are available.

Jane Kennedy: The Department collects ambulance response time data by Ambulance Trust rather than by geographical area, and in relation to response time requirements rather than by average response time. Therefore, the information requested is not centrally collected in the required format.
	The data that the Department does collect on ambulance response times is published in tables 5a, 5b, 6 and 7 of the statistical bulletin, Ambulance services, England: 200405, which is available in the Library and on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/11/36/79/04113679.pdf
	This publication includes ambulance response time data for the Westcountry Ambulance Trust, which covers Taunton, and for the whole of England for 200405.

BCG Vaccination

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice she (a) has issued and (b) plans to issue to primary care trusts on the BCG vaccination screening programme in schools; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Chief Medical Officer's letter dated 6 July 2005 outlining changes to the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) programme was sent to all primary care trusts (PCT) directors of public health. Further information was sent to PCT immunisation co-ordinators on 18 August 2005. This information is available on the Department's website at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAndSocialCare Topics/Tuberculosis/fs/en

Breast Cancer

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients could be treated with Herceptin for early stage breast cancer within existing capacity in English hospitals; and by how much she expects that capacity to be expanded within (a) six months and (b) 12 months.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not keep central figures on local national health service capacity to deliver particular treatments. The NHS is expected to consider local needs and priorities as part of its planning process, taking account national strategies/guidance such as that from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.
	In the case of Herceptin, a HER2 test is needed to identify if a woman is HER2 positive and, as such, might benefit from treatment with Herceptin. Professor Mike Richards, the national cancer director, is working with cancer networks to ensure that testing arrangements are put in place to enable women who require it to be tested for HER2 status. This work is ongoing.

Breast Cancer

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  which primary care trusts in England have refused to prescribe Herceptin to patients with early stage breast cancer except in exceptional circumstances;
	(2)  which primary care trusts in England have agreed to prescribe Herceptin to patients with early stage breast cancer.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not collect information on local primary care trust (PCT) prescribing policies for different drugs.
	It is for individual clinicians, in discussion with a patient, to decide whether or not it is suitable to prescribe a specific drug. PCTs may also need to be involved to decide whether to support the clinician's decision and supply the drug at the National Health Service's expense. PCTs need to take a range of factors into account, including local factors, when considering the funding of drugs and other treatments.

Breast Cancer

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients (a) funded by the NHS and (b) funded privately are being treated with Herceptin for early stage breast cancer in NHS hospitals in England.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not collect information on the numbers of patients treated with specific drugs, whether in the national health service or privately.

Care Homes

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what percentage of elderly and mentally infirm people cared for in care homes in (a) Bristol North primary care trust and (b) Bristol South and West primary care trust have their fees paid for by (i) the NHS or (ii) local authority; and what percentage have their personal care costs paid for by themselves, a relative or another third party;
	(2)  what percentage of the fees charged by care homes in (a) Bristol North primary care trust and (b) Bristol South and West primary care trust is paid for by the NHS or local authority.

Caroline Flint: The information is not held centrally in the form requested. However, table 1 shows expenditure on residential and nursing care placements made by Bristol City unitary authority in 200405 for the various adult client groups, including older people. This shows gross expenditure, income received from sales, fees and charges and the resulting net expenditure.
	Table 2 shows the number of residents supported by the council as at 31 March 2005, some of whom will have been placed in care homes outside Bristol.
	Information on the percentages of the various ways costs are paid is not collected. According to the 2005 market survey by the independent analysts, Laing and Buisson, approximately 67 per cent. of the cost of residential care in the United Kingdom is funded by social services, or by the national health service to cover nursing care. It is estimated that approximately 100,000, or around 25 per cent., of residents nationally are privately or self funded.
	
		1. Bristol city councilexpenditure: 200405 -- 000
		
			  Gross expenditure Sales, fees and charges Net expenditure 
		
		
			 Older people
			 Nursing care placements 13,948 3,831 10,117 
			 Residential care placements 26,970 6,746 20,224 
			 
			 Adults aged 1864 with physical disabilities 
			 Nursing care placements 913 352 561 
			 Residential care placements 692 223 469 
			 
			 Adults aged 1864 with learning disabilities 
			 Nursing care placements 1,074 210 864 
			 Residential care placements 13,105 1,940 11,165 
			 
			 Adults aged 1864 with mental health needs 
			 Nursing care placements 1,367 456 911 
			 Residential care placements 2,289 900 1,389 
		
	
	Source:
	Form PSS EX1
	
		2. Bristol city councilnumbers of supported residents at 31 March 2005
		
			  Number of residents 
		
		
			 Older people  
			 Nursing care placements 710 
			 Residential care placements 1,075 
			   
			 Adults aged 1864 with physical disabilities  
			 Nursing care placements 45 
			 Residential care placements 35 
			   
			 Adults aged 1864 with learning disabilities  
			 Nursing care placements 15 
			 Residential care placements 285 
			   
			 Adults aged 1864 with mental health needs  
			 Nursing care placements 50 
			 Residential care placements 85 
		
	
	Note:
	Data rounded to the nearest 5.
	Source:
	SRI return.

Colorectal Cancer

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has approved cetuximab as a prescribed drug for colorectal cancer.

Jane Kennedy: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) plans to publish its technology appraisal on bevacizumab and cetuximab for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer in November 2006. Further information on this appraisal can be found on NICE's website at www.nice.org.uk.

Colorectal Cancer

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many primary care trusts have prescribed cetuximab for colorectal cancer.

Rosie Winterton: Data are not collected on the number of primary care trusts prescribing particular drugs.

Correspondence

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire of 10 March.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 2 May 2006
	A reply to this letter was sent on 2 May 2006.

Correspondence

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to reply to letters from the hon. Member for North Shropshire of (a) 25 March, (b) 5 April and (c) 19 April.

Rosie Winterton: Responses to these letters were sent on 2 May 2006.

Delayed Discharges

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many delayed discharges there were in acute hospitals serving the Kingston-upon-Hull area in the last 12 months; and how many acute hospital bed nights these represented.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Acute delayed transfers of care, acute hospitals serving the Kingston-upon-Hull area
		
			  Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust 
			  Delayed transfers of care Number of days delayed 
		
		
			 April 2005 12 666 
			 May 2005 10 684 
			 June 2005 20 999 
			 July 2005 27 832 
			 August 2005 18 668 
			 September 2005 25 1,104 
			 October 2005 21 661 
			 November 2005 18 921 
			 December 2005 13 906 
			 January 2006 17 972 
			 February 2006 21 804 
			 March 2006 14 938 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Data in the table is taken from local monitoring of delayed discharges included in the situation reports (SITREPs) collection. The delayed transfers of care figures are based on a snapshot taken on the last typical Thursday in the month. This differs to the day used in the separate, quarterly, LDPR commissioner collections on which the figures published in the Statistical Supplement to the Chief Executive's Report to the NHS, December 2005 are based. The number of days delayed sums all delays in the month.
	2.Due to the way the data is collected, the number of days delayed data for June 2005, September 2005, December 2005 and March 2006 are based on five weeks' dataall other months are based on four weeks' data.
	Source:
	Department of Health, SITREPS

Dentistry

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists have signed the new contract in dispute in (a) Greater London and (b) England.

Rosie Winterton: Information on the number of dentists who have signed the new contract and the number who have signed in dispute is not available centrally.
	We do however have some provisional information that covers contracts. A contract may well be for more than one dentist so cannot be broken down further to individual dentist level. These management estimates show that 488 contracts were signed in dispute in the five London strategic health authorities and 2884 in England.
	Primary care trusts are working with dentists to resolve as many disputes as possible locally.

Dentistry

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the availability of NHS dental services in Gosport constituency; how many dentists are giving appointments for NHS treatment; what the average time patients waited for treatment was in the latest period for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has made no assessment of the availability of national health service dental services in Gosport constituency.
	There were 35 NHS dentists with a general dental services or personal dental services contract within Gosport parliamentary constituency area as at 31 December 2005.
	Information on average waiting times for treatment is not held centrally.

Departmental Advertising Costs

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much (a) her Department and (b) its agencies spent on advertising for job vacancies in each of the last five years.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 25 April 2006
	This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Diabetes

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to ensure that diabetes patients are provided with a fully informed choice of all available insulins and informed of their risks and benefits.

Jane Kennedy: The choice of insulin prescribed to a patient is a clinical decision made as a result of a joint decision-making process between the patient and their clinician taking into account all available evidence and the individual's specific clinical needs. From January 2006, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has required all primary care trusts to implement NICE guidance on patient education by providing all people with diabetes with high quality, structured education which should include information on insulin use.

Drinking Water

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when the consultation by the Food Standards Agency on natural mineral water, spring water and bottled drinking water will be completed;
	(2)  what specification applies to UK natural mineral waters that wish to carry the claim that they are suitable for infant feeding.

Caroline Flint: There is not yet a specification for United Kingdom natural mineral waters that would allow the claim that they are suitable for infant feeding. The Food Standards Agency has completed a consultation on draft criteria that would enable natural mineral water to carry such a claim. These criteria were based on advice from the committee on medical aspects of food and nutrition. The comments received during the consultation are being taken into account in the preparation of the final version of regulations.

Fluoridation

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research she has (a) assessed and (b) commissioned on the possible relationship between children drinking tap water with added fluoride and the risk of developing bone cancer as teenagers.

Caroline Flint: A number of studies regarding water fluoridation and bone cancer have been published. The weight of the scientific evidence, as assessed by independent committees of experts, comprehensive systematic reviews, and review of the findings of individual studies, does not currently support any association between water fluoridated at levels optimal for oral health and the risk for cancer, including bone cancer, in children.
	We are aware that an observed association between exposure to fluoride in drinking water and the incidence (new cases) of osteosarcoma in young males has recently been reported in a paper in the United States (Age-specific fluoride exposure in drinking water and Osteosarcom (United States) Bassin et al., Cancer causes control (2006) 17: 421428). No apparent association was observed in females. The author has described this research as an exploratory analysis and has acknowledged that further research is required to confirm or refute the observed association.
	In 2000, the Government commissioned a systematic review of public water fluoridation from the University of York. In this study, no clear association between osteosarcoma and fluoridation was found. In 2002, the Medical Research Council (MRC), commissioned by the Government to consider further research requirements on water fluoridation, agreed with the York findings that overall, the evidence does not suggest that artificially fluoridated water increases the risk of cancer. The Department will keep any further publications from the recent United States study under review and is committed to a continuing programme of research in line with the MRCs recommendations.

Folic Acid

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment her Department has made of the possibility that ingestion of folic acid masks vitamin B12 deficiency; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment her Department has made of the effects on the elderly of ingesting folic acid.

Caroline Flint: The scientific advisory committee on nutrition (SACN) was asked by the Government to consider the evidence that has arisen since the committee on medical aspects of food policy report Folic Acid and the Prevention of Disease was published in 2000, and to advise on any gaps in the evidence base, with particular reference to the issue of folic acid masking vitamin B12 deficiency.
	SACN published their draft report on Folate and Disease Prevention in November 2005 for stakeholder comment. The committee are now in the final stages of preparing the report, which is expected to be published this summer. The report will include an assessment of the effects of increasing folic acid intake on the elderly. The Department will consider SACN's recommendations carefully after the report is published.

General Practitioners

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated annual cost per general practitioner is of the (a) employer's and (b) employees' contribution to the NHS superannuation scheme.

Liam Byrne: The average estimated employer and employee pension scheme contributions in respect of general medical practitioners for the financial year ending 31 March 2004 were:
	Employer's contribution per practitioner: 10,284;
	Employee's contribution per practitioner: 4,407.
	Under the new general medical services contract, general practitioners pay both the employer's and employee's contributions from a global sum that makes provision for these pension contributions.

General Practitioners

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of Greater London's primary care trusts met the 48-hour target for access to GPs in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jane Kennedy: In March 2006, all primary care trusts covered by North West London, North Central London, North East London, South East London and South West London Strategic Health Authorities reported that they met this target.

Genito-urinary Medicine

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the future demand for genito-urinary medicine in the Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Primary Care Trust area following the introduction of the chlamydia screening programme.

Caroline Flint: Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the United Kingdom. Reducing the prevalence of this infection is an important goal in the drive to improve sexual health, outlined in the White Paper, Choosing Health: making healthier choices easier. The Health Protection Agency manages the national chlamydia screening programme. The programme aims to control chlamydia through early detection and treatment of asymptomatic infection; reduce onward transmission to sexual partners; and prevent the consequences of untreated infection.
	It is the responsibility of primary care trusts (PCTs), working in conjunction with strategic health authorities (SHAs), to decide on local delivery and planning of services. Kent and Medway SHA has informed officials that the Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley PCT is currently meeting locally agreed performance targets, and the SHA is working to ensure that all PCTs and trusts have plans in place to ensure the 2008 target of maximum 48-hour waiting is achieved.

Genito-urinary Medicine

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the funding available to the Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley NHS Trust (a) from other primary care trusts for the provision of a genito-unitary facility and (b) to fund the introduction of chlamydia screening.

Caroline Flint: It is the responsibility of primary care trusts (PCT), working in conjunction with strategic health authorities (SHA), to decide on local delivery and planning of services. In 200607, 91.5 million was allocated to PCTs for sexual health modernisation which includes funding for chlamydia screening and contraception and abortion services. In addition, a further 25 million for capital was allocated this financial year to PCTs for sexual health services.
	In December 2005, the Department allocated 165,000 to the Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley PCT for start up costs for the national chlamydia screening programme. This funding is aimed at setting up a chlamydia screening office, funding information technology and laboratory developments and identifying premises for the chlamydia screening office before screening begins.

Health Reforms (Patient Care)

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Answer of 2 March 2006, Official Report, column 915W, on health reform in England: update and next steps, whether the Tariff will apply to a patient requiring acute services for a potentially terminal illness, as opposed to palliative care for a patient in whom the same illness has progressed beyond a point where acute services can reasonably be expected to contribute to the patient's recovery; and whether it will be (a) the patient's GP, (b) the hospital consultant and (c) the primary care trust which makes the judgement that acute, rather than palliative care is required for a patient at any stage of the patient's care.

Liam Byrne: The national tariff is structured around healthcare resources groups (HRGs), which represent clinically relevant groups of diagnoses and treatments that consume similar average levels of healthcare resource. In this way, the tariff applies on the basis of a patient's diagnosis and treatment combination rather than the severity of a patient's condition, for example terminal illness, albeit that these issues are related.
	A list of treatments currently excluded from the tariff are set out in Payment by Results: Implementation support guide 200607 (Technical Guidance), which is available on the Department's website. Funding for treatments outside the scope of payment by results continues to be negotiated locally.
	Whether, or when, a patient should be given acute care or palliative care is a matter for the clinical judgement of the doctor responsible for the patient's care.

Health Trainer Programme

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the primary care trusts which are in the early adopter phase of the health trainer programme.

Caroline Flint: A list of the primary care trusts (PCTs) which are in the early adopter phase of the health trainer programme is shown in the following list.
	PCTs
	Adur, Arun and Worthing
	Airedale
	Amber Valley
	Ashton, Leigh and Wigan
	Barking and Dagenham
	Barnsley
	Bebington and West Wirral
	Bedford
	Birkenhead and Wallasey
	Blackburn with Darwen
	Blackpool
	Blackwater Valley and Hart
	Bolton
	Bradford City
	Bradford South and West
	Bristol North
	Bristol South and West
	Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale
	Burntwood, Lichfield and Tamworth
	Bury
	Carlisle and District
	Central Cheshire
	Central Cornwall
	Central Huddersfield
	Central Liverpool
	Central Manchester
	Charnwood and North West Leicestershire
	Chelmsford
	Chesterfield
	City and Hackney Teaching
	Coventry
	Darlington
	Derbyshire Dales
	Derwentside
	Doncaster Central
	Doncaster East
	Doncaster West
	Dudley Castle and Beacon
	Dudley South
	Durham and Chester le Street
	Durham Dales
	Easington
	East Devon
	East Staffordshire
	Eastern Birmingham
	Blackpool
	Blackwater Valley and Hart
	Bolton
	Bradford City
	Bradford South and West
	Bristol North
	Bristol South and West
	Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale
	Burntwood, Lichfield and Tamworth
	Bury
	Carlisle and District
	Central Cheshire
	Central Cornwall
	Central Huddersfield
	Central Liverpool
	Central Manchester
	Charnwood and North West Leicestershire
	Chelmsford
	Chesterfield
	City and Hackney Teaching
	Coventry
	Darlington
	Derbyshire Dales
	Derwentside
	Doncaster Central
	Doncaster East
	Doncaster West
	Dudley Castle and Beacon
	Dudley South
	Durham and Chester le Street
	Durham Dales
	Easington
	East Devon
	East Staffordshire
	Eastern Birmingham
	Eastern Hull
	Eastern Leicester
	Eastern Wakefield
	Eastleigh and Test Valley South
	Eden Valley
	Epping Forest
	Erewash
	Exeter
	Fareham and Gosport
	Gateshead
	Greenwich Teaching
	Halton
	Hammersmith and Fulham
	Haringey Teaching
	Harlow
	Hartlepool
	Hartlepool
	Havering
	Heart of Birmingham
	Heywood and Middleton
	High Peak and Dales
	Hounslow
	Hull Teaching
	Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
	Isle of Wight
	Islington
	Kensington and Chelsea
	Knowsley
	Lambeth
	Langbaurgh
	Leicester City West
	Lewisham
	Maidstone Weald
	Medway Teaching
	Mid Devon
	Mid Hampshire
	Mid Sussex
	Middlesbrough
	Morecambe Bay
	New Forest
	Newark and Sherwood
	Newcastle
	Newham
	North and East Cornwall
	North Devon
	North Birmingham
	North Bradford
	North Dorset
	North East Lincolnshire
	North Eastern Derbyshire
	North Hampshire
	North Kirklees
	North Liverpool
	North Manchester
	North Peterborough
	North Stoke
	North Tees
	North Tyneside
	North Warwickshire
	Northamptonshire Heartlands
	Northumberland
	Nottingham City
	Oldbury and Smethwick
	Oldham
	Oxford City
	Plymouth
	Portsmouth City
	Preston
	Rochdale
	Rotherham
	Rowley Regis and Tipton
	Salford
	South East Sheffield, North and South West Sheffield
	Sedgefield
	Slough
	Solihull
	South and East Dorset
	South Birmingham
	South Derbyshire
	South Hams with West Devon
	South Huddersfield
	South Liverpool
	South Manchester
	South Peterborough
	South Sefton
	South Stoke
	South Tyneside
	South West Dorset
	South West Kent
	Southampton City
	Southern Norfolk
	Southport and Formby
	Southwark
	St. Helens
	Sunderland Teaching
	Sutton and Merton
	Tameside and Glossop
	Torbay
	Tower Hamlets
	Wakefield West
	Walsall
	Warrington
	Wednesbury and West Bromwich
	West Cornwall
	West Hull
	West Lincolnshire
	Western Sussex
	Windsor, Ascot and Maidenhead
	Wolverhampton City

Health Trainer Programme

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mandatory core competences health trainers must satisfy before being employed by the NHS.

Caroline Flint: The mandatory core competences required to become a national health service health trainer has been placed in the Library.

Health Trainer Programme

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the cost of training each health trainer; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Department has mandated a set of core competences to which all health trainers partnerships must adhere. Health trainer training is under the control of individual primary care trusts and costs will vary according to the locally designed training programmes.

Holly's Law

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will bring forward legislation similar to H.R.1079, (Holly's Law), introduced into the United States House of Representatives in March 2006; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  if she will set up an enquiry into the safety of RU-486; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  what information she has evaluated on (a) complications and (b) deaths caused by RU-486; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: I refer the hon. Member to my repliesgiven on 20 December 2005, Official Report, column 2688W and 2726W.
	Current evidence supports the safety of medical abortion in the United Kingdom, and this is a method of abortion recommended by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
	The safety of all medicines in the United Kingdom is continuously monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Since initial licensing in 1991, the safety of mifepristone (Mifegyne, RU-486)a medicine used for abortion has been carefully monitored through review of reports of suspected adverse drug reactions and through periodic safety reports submitted by the manufacturer. Such reviews have evaluated both suspected complications and deaths relating to this medicine.
	In 2005, following new advice from the United States Food and Drug Administration, where this product is used in combination with another medicine that is not licensed for this purpose in the UK, reports of suspected serious adverse reactions associated with mifepristone, including cases of serious bacterial infection, were thoroughly reviewed. The regulatory authorities within Europe, including the UK, did not identify any new safety issues in this review. No additional enquiry is necessary. Regulatory action to withdraw this medicine in the UK, equivalent to that proposed in H.R. 1079 (Holly's Law) in the United States, is not appropriate since European Union advice, including UK expert advice, is that the balance of risks and benefits of mifepristone remains positive.

Insulin Analogues

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action her Department is taking in response to the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products' recommendations (document CPMP/SWP/372/01) on the investigation of the carcinogenic potential of insulin analogues.

Jane Kennedy: The safety of human insulin analogues in clinical practice is continually monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the European Medicines Agency. Human insulin analogues are licensed through the European centralised licensing procedure. No pre-clinical studies have been specifically requested in relation to this issue by the MHRA.

Meat Hygiene Service

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria were used to assess the need for each of the options for proposed changes to veterinary supervision arrangements within the Meat Hygiene Service.

Caroline Flint: Criteria used to assess the need for each of the options for proposed changes to veterinary supervision arrangements within the meat hygiene service (MHS) are as detailed in the MHS paper, Veterinary supervision arrangements within the MHS, and the July 2005 report by DNV Consulting, Review of options for provision of Veterinary Surgeons within the Meat Hygiene Service. Both of these papers were included as part of the 12-week public consultation on proposed changes to veterinary supervision arrangements, launched by the MHS on 11 April 2006.

Meat Hygiene Service

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she last met representatives of the Meat Hygiene Service to discuss alteration of the arrangements for veterinary supervision.

Liam Byrne: My hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary of State for Health (Caroline Flint) has not met with representatives of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) to discuss alteration of the arrangements for veterinary supervision.
	Proposals for changes to veterinary supervision arrangements within the MHS, which are currently out to public consultation, fall within these delegated authorities.

Meat Hygiene Service

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the options which were considered for the provision of veterinary inspections at meat plants; and why each option which was rejected was rejected.

Liam Byrne: The options for proposed changes to veterinary supervision arrangements within the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) are set out in the 12-week public consultation launched on 11 April 2006. These papers set out and discuss the various options. Copies are available in the Library.
	The only option that has so far been rejected is the option to maintain current arrangements. This has been rejected since the existing veterinary structure will not deliver the changes required as a result of Professor Wall's independent inquiry into the MHS in 2004, nor will it meet the other drivers for change, as detailed in the consultation.
	Comments on all the various options, but particularly the MHS's preferred option for change, are sought as part of the consultation process.

Medical Staff Redundancies

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the impact on patients of medical staff redundancies in hospitals in South East London; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The responsibility for commissioning, delivering and performance managing health services rests with the local national health service and so it is for the local strategic health authorities, primary care trusts and trusts to assess the local impact of changes in staffing levels.

Mental Health Services

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of assertive outreach teams in reducing the need for admissions to mental hospitals.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 2 May 2006
	The primary outcome measure for assertive outreach teams is not a reduction in hospital admissions. The principal purpose of assertive outreach teams is to provide intensive support for people with severe mental illness, and who might not otherwise engage with mainstream mental health services, in their own homes or in other community settings. In December 2005, 17,000 people were receiving care from 262 assertive outreach teams, representing a 14 per cent. increase in caseload compared to 2004.
	In addition to assertive outreach teams, crisis resolution services are designed to respond promptly to people in crisis, providing assessment and effective home treatment, including medication in their own home or in other community settings. At the end of March 2005, there were 343 crisis resolution teams. In the first three quarters of the financial year 200506, crisis resolution teams provided 61,000 home treatment episodes for patients who would otherwise have been admitted.

MMR Vaccination

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether her Department has made estimates for the uptake of the MMR vaccination over the next five years.

Caroline Flint: The Department does not make projected estimates for the uptake of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination. In line with World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations, there is a national target of 95 per cent., uptake of two doses of MMR. This target, as well as effectively protecting individual children, their families and communities, is also part of an integrated immunisation approach to achieving measles and rubella control targets while maximizing programme efficiencies as detailed in the Strategic plan for measles and congenital rubella infection in the European region of WHO, 2003.
	Links to this information are available at:
	www.euro.who.int/document/E82183.pdf?bcsi_scan_ 22F071C7F07ABBC7=0bcsi_scan_filename=E82183.pdf.

Multiple Myeloma

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on the availability of bortezomib for the treatment of multiple myeloma;
	(2)  when she expects guidance to be issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on bortezomib treatment;
	(3)  whether her Department has issued guidance to primary care trusts on the availability of bortezomib treatment for multiple myeloma.

Jane Kennedy: Bortezomib (velcade) is licensed for the treatment of adults with cancer of the bone marrow (multiple myeloma) who have received at least one prior treatment and whose disease is worsening on their last treatment.
	Bortezomib has been referred to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) for appraisal. NICE plans to publish its single technology appraisal on bortezomib for multiple myeloma in September 2006. Further information on this appraisal can be found on NICE's website at www.nice.org.uk.
	In the interim, there are no national restrictions on or guidelines for prescribing bortezomib on the national health service for patients who fit the licensed indication. Funding for licensed treatments should not be withheld because guidance from NICE is unavailable. In these circumstances, we expect primary care trusts to take full account of available evidence when reaching funding decisions. This is confirmed in Health Service Circular 1999/176, which asks NHS bodies to continue with local arrangements for the managed introduction of new technologies where guidance from NICE is not available at the time the treatment or technology first became available.

National Blood Service

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 4 April 2006 to question 59146 on the National Blood Service, what estimate the National Blood Service has made of the number of calls made from call centres in her Department in 200405 using predictive dialling; and how many such calls resulted in silent calls.

Caroline Flint: Data for the year 200405 can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the National Blood Service (NBS) has provided data for thepast year.
	The NBS made 1,467,382 calls between 1 March 2005 and 21 April 2006. Over this time period, 3.7 per cent. of these calls were abandoned, representing those occasions when the called person answers and it appears no-one is there, due to the slight delay before an operator comes on the line. The NBS continues to improve its abandonment rates, which have dropped to three per cent, in January 2006. These levels are within Ofcom's guidelines of no more than 5 per cent. silent calls.

NHS Accredited Health Trainers

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the availability of NHS accredited health trainers.

Caroline Flint: Following the successful completion of the early adopter phase, 88 spearhead primary care trust (PCTs) are now in a position to start recruiting, training and deploying health trainers.
	Choosing Health money has been allocated to provide 1,200 national health service health trainers by the end of financial year 200607.
	However, it is up to individual PCTs to make decisions about where they allocate resources and how many health trainers they will need to meet the needs of their local population.

Nuffield Speech and Language Unit

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with (a) the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust and (b) the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear hospital about the form of the public consultation process on the future of the Nuffield Speech and Language Unit.

Jane Kennedy: No discussions have been held between Ministers and the Royal Free Hampstead National Health Service Trust or the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear hospital about the form of the public consultation process on the future of the Nuffield speech and language unit.
	However, my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Community Care (Liam Byrne) held a discussion with the hon. Member during a debate on this matter held on 25 April.

Nuffield Speech and Language Unit

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthif she will place copies of letters she has received about the Nuffield Speech and Language Unit in the Library.

Jane Kennedy: Under the Data Protection Act, permission to make letters public would need to be sought from each correspondent. This can be carried out only at disproportionate cost.

Nuffield Speech and Language Unit

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her statement of 25 April 2006, Official Report, column 549, on the Nuffield Speech and Language Unit, how many patients waited more than six months for hospital in-patient treatment according to the February figures.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 2 May 2006
	The Nuffield speech and language unit is part of the Royal Free Hampstead National Health Services Trust. The trust did not report any patients waiting over six months for inpatient admission at the end of February 2006.

Nurses

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people training to become Registered General Nurses are enrolled on pre-registration nursing courses and will complete their courses in (a) the 200607 academic year, (b) the 200708 academic year and (c) the 200809 academic year, broken down by strategic health authority area; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 27 April 2006
	It is not possible to say how many people will complete their training in a given year. Most students complete training in three years but each year a proportion either delay completion or leave the course.

Obesity (Taxation)

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received on (a) a tax on foods with a very high fat content and (b) an obesity tax based on an individual's body mass index.

Caroline Flint: The Department has received representations on tax on foods with a very high fat content through the consultation processes on the Choosing Health White Paper and the Food and Health Action Plan.
	We have not received any representations on an obesity tax based on an individual's body mass index.

Osteopaths

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to amend the arrangements for the regulation of osteopaths; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Changes to the structure, functions and number of regulators were considered as part of the recent review of non-medical professional regulation. An announcement about the review will be made shortly.

Prevenar

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received concerning her consultation with experts on how to introduce Prevenar on the NHS.

Caroline Flint: A letter was sent to health professionals on 8 February 2006.
	The Department's plans to introduce important changes to the childhood immunisation programme will start later this year. These changes will ensure that young children in this country are offered the best protection against serious vaccine-preventable diseases.
	We propose to introduce these changes in the summer, and a firm date will be announced as soon as vaccine supply and other issues have been finalised. A further detailed Chief Medical Officer/Chief Nursing Officer/Chief Pharmaceutical officer letter, with supporting documentation, will follow as soon as possible.

Primary Care Trusts

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of dental practices are accepting new NHS adult registrations in each primary care trust in England.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not held centrally.

Recombinant Factor VII

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the three-year funding period for recombinant factor VII for adult haemophiliacs is due to come to an end; who is responsible for the decision on further funding; and what decisions have been made.

Caroline Flint: On 12 February 2003, the Government announced an extra 88 million over three years to extend the availability of recombinant clotting factors for adult haemophiliacs in England. We remain committed to the recombinant roll-out programme and I announced on 19 April that further funding for recombinant treatment will continue.

Smoking

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultations her Department has carried out with (a) the theatre, (b) film and (c) television industry regarding possible exemptions to the ban on smoking in public places for the purposes of artistic productions; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: During last year's consultation on proposals for the Health Bill we received representations that particular theatrical performances and television/film recordings should be exempted from the smoke-free provisions of the Bill.
	We are minded to allow an exemption where smoking is an integral part of the storyline of a performance or recording.
	I wrote to the Theatrical Management Association and Equity along these lines on 18 April. A copy of these letters is available in the Library.

Social Services

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the expected year-end financial position of social services departments in England is in 200506 (a) in total and (b) broken down by local authority area; and what the year-end outturn position has been in each year since 199798.

Liam Byrne: The year-end financial position of social services departments in England in 200506 is not available.
	The Department does hold social services expenditure data centrally and in answering this question, we have assumed that year-end outturn equates with total local authority expenditure on social services.
	Forecast outturn figures for the 150 local authorities with social care responsibilities in 200506 will not be available until early in 2007. The most recent available expenditure information held by the Department is for 200405.
	Full details of the outturn figures for 199798 to 200405 for social services departments are available on the NHS Health and Social Care information Centre's website at www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/persocservexp2005. Summary tables of outturn figures are available in the Library.

Stroke

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to ensure that patients admitted to hospital following a stroke have their higher cognitive function checked.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 2 May 2006
	The Royal College of Physicians' national clinical guidelines for stroke recommend that all stroke patients should be screened for the presence of cognitive impairments as soon as is practicable.
	The Department has commenced work on an 18-month programme to develop a national stroke strategy. The work to develop the strategy will look at the measures that need to be put in place to ensure that patients receive high quality care when they are admitted to hospital.

Stroke

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to ensure that all healthcare staff are aware of (a) the risk of vascular dementia in stroke patients and (b) the action which should be taken if dementia is suspected.

Rosie Winterton: The complex nature of dementia once it is diagnosed requires a whole systems approach across a range of health and social care providers. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is currently working on dementia guidelines. The first consultation on this guideline is expected in May 2006. This is in addition to the ongoing work of the older people's mental health programme which includes guidance on the provision of services.

Stroke

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking (a) to develop effective systems of identifying people at high risk of having a stroke and (b) to put in place ways to reduce that risk.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 2 May 2006
	The quality and outcomes framework (QAF) of the general practitioner contract includes points for setting up and maintaining a register of people who have had a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or stroke, a key indicator that there is a high risk of a full, or more serious, stroke. The QAF also includes a range of points for managing that risk including for recording and managing of hypertension and cholesterol in patients who have had a stroke or TIA. In addition, the QAF includes points for managing other key risk factors such as treatment and care for atrial fibrillation, management of diabetes, recording smoking status and giving advice on smoking cessation, and setting up and maintaining an obesity register.
	The Department has commenced work on an 18-month programme to develop a national strategy for stroke. One of the six key areas will focus on the improvement of primary and secondary stroke risk prevention, and raising public awareness, particularly the symptoms of stroke and the associated risk factors.

Stroke

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthwhat research she has commissioned on the best ways of improving the management of patients who have had a (a) transient ischemic attack and (b) minor stroke.

Rosie Winterton: The Department funds research to support policy and to provide the evidence needed to underpin quality improvement and service development in the national health service. Through the service delivery and organisation and health technology assessment programmes, the Department has funded a number of projects related to improving the management of patients who have had a transient ischaemic attack or minor stroke. These include:
	a randomised controlled comparison of alternative strategies in stroke care;
	a multi-centre randomised trial evaluating feeding policies in patients admitted to hospital with a recent stroke;
	a systematic review and economic evaluation of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of clopidogrel and modified-release dipyridamole in the secondary prevention of occlusive vascular events;
	a systematic review of the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and barriers to implementation of thrombolytic and neuroprotective therapy for acute ischaemic stroke in the NHS;
	a multi-centre randomised trial to assess whether hypertension or hypotension immediately post-stroke can be therapeutically treated, and can improve post-stroke prognosis.
	a randomised trial and health economic evaluation to assess the effectiveness of communication therapy in the North West of England;
	a multi-centre randomised controlled trial and resource utilisation study to evaluate the effect of botulinum toxin in the treatment of upper limb spasticity due to stroke;
	partnership and complexity in continuity of care: a study of vertical and horizontal integration across organisational and professional boundaries (relationships between organisations);
	a cohort study to assess the effect of continuity of care in stroke and its relation to outcomes;
	a study to determine what pattern of service delivery will best meet the needs of people who have a transient ischaemic attack.
	The NHS national research programme projects listed above, either completed over the last three years or are currently under way, have been funded at a cost of 5.1 million. The Department has also invested 20 million over five years to set up a new stroke research network.

Voluntary Organisations

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthhow much money was distributed to voluntary organisations through section 64 General Scheme of Grants in each year since 1997; and if she will list the organisations which received such funding in 200506.

Liam Byrne: The table sets out the amount of grants to voluntary and community organisations from the section 64 General Scheme of Grants for each year from 1997 to 2005. Organisations that received a grant in 200506 are listed on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/section64
	
		
			  Financial year Total value of approved grants ( million) 
		
		
			 199697 21 
			 199798 21.4 
			 199899 20.6 
			 19992000 22.3 
			 200001 22.7 
			 200102 21.5 
			 200203 22.1 
			 200304 21.4 
			 200405 17.8 
			 200506 17.9 
		
	
	Note:
	In 200405, 4.2 million was transferred to the Department for Education and Skills projects relating to children's social care policy following re-organisation of departmental responsibilities for children's social services.

Waiting Lists/Times

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information her Department holds on the waiting times for (a) different categories of operations and (b) rehabilitation for stroke patients in South Hampshire.

Liam Byrne: The operation for stroke patients is the endarterectomy of the carotid artery and (patch repair of carotidThe median waiting time for patients with a primary diagnosis of stroke and a main operation of endarterectomy of the carotid artery and patch repair of the carotid artery covering the following primary care trusts:
	New Forest,
	Fareham and Gosport,
	Portsmouth City,
	Southampton City,
	Eastleigh and Test Valley South and, Isle Of Wight, is 28 days.
	This information is based on elective finished admission episodes. Information about rehabilitation waiting times is not held centrally.
	Notes:
	Finished admission episodes A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one Healthcare provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.
	Diagnosis (primary diagnosis)
	The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 200203) diagnosis fields in the hospital episode statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.
	Main operation
	The main operation is the first recorded operation in the HES data set and is usually the most resource intensive procedure performed during the episode. It is appropriate to use main operation when looking at admission details, for example time waited, but the figures for all operations count of episodes give a more complete count of episodes with an operation.

Weighted Capitation Formula

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the value of the weighting for (a) deprivation and (b) age is in the weighted capitation formula;
	(2)  what the average annual cost to the NHS is of a person (a) over 65 and (b) under 65 years in (i) deprived and (ii) non-deprived areas;
	(3)  what the average age of (a) population and (b) patients is for each primary care trust (PCT) area; and what the financial position of each PCT is estimated to be at the end of 200506.

Liam Byrne: The weighted capitation formula has separate components for hospital and community health services (HCHS), prescribing and primary medical services to reflect the services for which primary care trusts (PCTs) receive funding. Each component has its own age and additional need weightings which are applied simultaneously to the population to produce a weighted population for each PCT, When expressed as an index centred around one for each PCT, the weightings in the HCHS component range from 0.85 to 1.25 for age and 0.71 to 1.52 for additional need.
	Estimated expenditure in 200304 on HCHS was 2,073 for a person over 65 years and 517 for a person under 65 years. It is not possible to estimate this expenditure in deprived and non-deprived areas.
	The mean and median age of the population at the time of the 2001 census and the 200506 month six forecast outturn position for each PCT has been placed in the Library. It is not possible to provide the average age for patients.

TREASURY

Average Earnings

Michael Foster: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average earnings of full-time employees based on the annual survey of hours and earnings were for (a) Birmingham, (b) Sandwell, (c) Dudley, (d) Walsall, (e) Wolverhampton, (f) Solihull, (g) Coventry, (h) Worcestershire, (i) Herefordshire, (j) Shropshire, (k) Telford and Wrekin, (l) Staffordshire, (m) Warwickshire and (n) Gloucestershire in each year since 2000.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 3 May 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the average earnings of full-time employees in (a) Birmingham, (b) Sandwell, (c) Dudley, (d) Walsall, (e) Wolverhampton, (f) Solihull, (g) Coventry, (h)Worcestershire, (i) Herefordshire, (j) Shropshire, (k) Telford and Wrekin, (1) Staffordshire, (m) Warwickshire and (n)Gloucestershire was in each year since 2000. (67401)
	Average earnings are estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for full time employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. This is the standard definition used for ASHE. The ASHE does not collect data on the self employed and people who do unpaid work.
	I attach tables showing Average Gross Weekly Earnings by place of work for the years 2000 to 2005 for Full Time Employees on Adult Rates. These statistics are already published on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=13101.
	The ASHE, carried out in April of each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom. It is a one per cent. sample of all employees who are members of pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) schemes.
	
		Gross weekly() pay for full time employee jobs(27) by place of work
		
			  Median Mean 
		
		
			 Birmingham   
			 2000 357 418 
			 2001 392 462 
			 2002 393 469 
			 2003 398 465 
			 2004 413 475 
			 2004(28) 404 466 
			 2005 425 488 
			
			 Sandwell   
			 2000 340 391 
			 2001 341 382 
			 2002 353 411 
			 2003 362 429 
			 2004 370 451 
			 2004(28) 365 441 
			 2005 403 *509 
			
			 Dudley   
			 2000 318 370 
			 2001 335 388 
			 2002 345 399 
			 2003 346 395 
			 2004 367 411 
			 2004(28) 358 402 
			 2005 369 425 
			 Walsall   
			 2000 *311 350 
			 2001 329 370 
			 2002 319 371 
			 2003 341 390 
			 2004 361 409 
			 2004(28) 363 407 
			 2005 359 423 
			
			 Wolverhampton   
			 2000 342 381 
			 2001 359 415 
			 2002 *387 439 
			 2003 379 436 
			 2004 405 462 
			 2004(28) 389 451 
			 2005 *400 478 
			
			 Solihull   
			 2000 *393 443 
			 2001 402 464 
			 2002 *429 478 
			 2003 445 511 
			 2004 480 547 
			 2004(28) 471 539 
			 2005 468 525 
			
			 Coventry   
			 2000 364 424 
			 2001 389 474 
			 2002 424 501 
			 2003 412 509 
			 2004 444 535 
			 2004(28) 442 522 
			 2005 453 545 
			
			 Worcestershire   
			 2000 336 379 
			 2001 346 400 
			 2002 342 403 
			 2003 373 456 
			 2004 373 446 
			 2004(28) 372 444 
			 2005 385 464 
			
			 Herefordshire   
			 2000 290 326 
			 2001 *318 368 
			 2002 *329 375 
			 2003 *376 455 
			 2004 *360 415 
			 2004(28) *346 406 
			 2005 *351 418 
			
			 Shropshire   
			 2000 *307 358 
			 2001 324 375 
			 2002 340 396 
			 2003 375 468 
			 2004 380 452 
			 2004(28) 374 447 
			 2005 375 455 
			
			 Telford and Wrekin   
			 2000 326 375 
			 2001 335 379 
			 2002 *362 409 
			 2003 392 458 
			 2004 *381 441 
			 2004(28) *375 436 
			 2005 389 443 
			 Staffordshire   
			 2000 335 378 
			 2001 351 399 
			 2002 360 418 
			 2003 357 428 
			 2004 392 449 
			 2004(28) 388 445 
			 2005 395 466 
			
			 Warwickshire   
			 2000 349 423 
			 2001 370 *476 
			 2002 375 462 
			 2003 383 440 
			 2004 421 488 
			 2004(28) 415 472 
			 2005 423 497 
			
			 Gloucestershire   
			 2000 357 409 
			 2001 365 441 
			 2002 378 456 
			 2003 377 448 
			 2004 411 484 
			 2004(28) 411 482 
			 2005 423 493 
		
	
	(27)Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence.
	(28)includes Supplementary survey data
	Notes:
	Guide to quality:
	The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality.
	The true value is likely to lie within  twice the CV e.g. for an average of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent., we would expect the population average to be within the range 180 to 220.
	Key
	CV}5%
	* CV5% and }10%
	The median replaces the mean as the headline statistic. The weighted mean is the sum of the weighted values divided by the sum of the weights. The median is the value below which 50 per cent. of employees fall. It is preferred over the mean for earnings data as it is influenced less.
	Source:
	Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office for National Statistics.

Birth Statistics

Shona McIsaac: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the birth rate was to those aged (a) 19, (b) 18, (c) 17, (d) 16, (e) 15, (f) 14 and (g) under 14 years in (i) North East Lincolnshire and (ii) North Lincolnshire in each of the past 10 years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell dated 3 May 2006
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question about what the birth rate was to females aged 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14 and under 14 in North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire in each of the last 10 years. (67055)
	The latest available figures are for 2004. Because there were very few births at younger ages some aggregation and suppression of the requested figures has been necessary in order to protect confidentiality. Rates shown in the table below are three-year rolling averages with ages under 15 being combined into a single age group. Where the rate was based on fewer than five cases it has been suppressed.
	
		Teenage live birth rates(29) by age of mother 19942004, North East Lincolnshire UA(30) and N. Lincolnshire UA(30)
		
			  Age of mother 
			  Under 15(31) 15 16 17 18 19 
		
		
			 North East Lincolnshire UA  
			 199597  8 33 60 79 111 
			 199698  8 29 65 78 105 
			 199799  9 21 55 79 96 
			 19982000  7 19 52 76 94 
			 199901  6 19 45 71 94 
			 200002  4 20 41 69 101 
			 200103  3 19 44 73 99 
			 200204  2 17 49 78 99 
			
			 North Lincolnshire UA   
			 199597  7 16 35 63 93 
			 199698  7 18 34 61 89 
			 199799  4 21 31 62 75 
			 19982000  3 21 33 54 77 
			 199901 2 3 18 34 54 79 
			 200002 2 2 14 34 53 82 
			 200103  3 13 34 52 88 
			 200204  4 11 32 51 79 
		
	
	(29)Live births in the three-year period per 1,000 female population of the corresponding age for the three years. Rates for under 15 are per 1,000 females aged 14.
	(30)Using boundaries as at 1/4/2005 throughout.
	(31)Cells containing a dash () indicate rates based on fewer than five live births.

Council Tax

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the basis of the estimates for council tax receipts in (a) the 2006 Budget for 200607 and (b) the 2005 pre-Budget statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Local authorities, not the Government, determine council tax increases. The 200607 council tax figures in Table B14 of the 2005 pre-Budget report, column 6701W are projections based on stylised assumptions of average council tax growth since its introduction. The 200607 figures in Table C8 of Budget 2006 (HC 968) are based on latest available CIPFA forecasts of increases in that year.

Councillors

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes HM Revenue and Customs have made to the tax status and liability for councillors' incomes and pensions since 2001.

Dawn Primarolo: Guidance to local councils on the expenses and allowances payable to councillors and civic dignitaries is published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM). The ODPM guidance includes advice provided by HM Revenue and Customs on tax and National Insurance issues. There have been no changes to the tax rules that affect this guidance.

Drugs Seizures

Gary Streeter: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) weight and (b) estimated street value of illegal drugs was seized by HM Revenue and Customs in Devon and Cornwall in each of the past five years, broken down by type of drug.

Dawn Primarolo: The following table gives details of HM Revenue and Customs' national seizures of illegal drugs over the last five years for which figures are available.
	
		
			  Heroin Cocaine Other class A Ecstasy Cannabis 
			 Financial year Kilograms Street value ( million) Kilograms Street value ( million) Kilograms Kilograms Kilograms 
		
		
			 200405 1,613 89 8,606 439 33 740 57,504 
			 200304 1,626 101 20,727 l,140 116 1,245 57,617 
			 200203 2,070 126 8,767 491 44 668 59,034 
			 200102 1,489 94 6,075 365 113 1,330 67,061 
			 200001 2,043 143 7,420 482 305 1,060 41,776 
		
	
	More detailed information is not available as disclosure of results at specific locations would provide information of value to those seeking to circumvent HM Revenue and Customs' controls, thereby prejudicing the prevention and detection of crime.

EU Institutions (Personnel)

Michael Gove: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ensure the continuation of low rates of income tax for personnel working in the EU institutions.

Dawn Primarolo: The taxation of personnel employed by the EU institutions is governed by the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union. There are no current plans to amend this Protocol.

HM Revenue and Customs

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment has been made of the likely effect of putting out to private tender certain functions of HM Revenue and Customs.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC regularly reviews its use of allocated public funds, including its current tendered services but there are no current plans to extend these. Taxpayer confidentiality is of paramount concern in all considerations.

HM Revenue and Customs

John Barrett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what job opportunities are available with HM Revenue and Customs in Scotland for staff highly skilled in human resources.

Dawn Primarolo: HM Revenue and Customs is in the process of streamlining its HR organisation to meet its business needs. The Department is creating an HR Service Centre at Cumbernauld where there is a range of jobs available for skilled HR staff. The Department is also exploring what other job opportunities may be available in other Revenue and Customs business streams in the Edinburgh area that can utilise the skills of HR staff. A database of job opportunities in other Government Departments is also available to staff to help them secure suitable alternative employment.

HM Revenue and Customs

John Barrett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost to the public purse has been of (a) the integration of human resources services within the Inland Revenue and (b) their subsequent integration with HM Customs and Excise.

Dawn Primarolo: The restructuring of the Inland Revenue HR service was to deliver a broad ranging reform of the HR function. Phase 1 was partially complete when announcements were made regarding the merger of Inland Revenue with Customs and Excise. The project has been subsumed within phase 2. The changes started in phase 1 made use of existing resources, in terms of both people and accommodation and was broadly cost-neutral.
	The integration of the HR functions in Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise is only partially complete. The first phase of change was to implement a virtual service centre in three locations. These locations were selected as existing technology platforms could be utilised. The costs to date are related to the set up of a contact centre in two of the locations (the third already operated in this way) and are in the region of 100,000. The project, when completed in 2008, will lead to savings of 702 staff and an HR to total departmental staff ratio in line with Gershon proposals.

HM Revenue and Customs

John Barrett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the decision was taken to restructure the human resources services of HM Revenue and Customs; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Before HM Revenue and Customs was created, both the Inland Revenue and Customs andExcise were in the process of transforming their HRservice delivery models. Both Departments were committed to changes with attendant improvements in both service delivery and efficiency. As the two legacy Departments had different supporting technology, processes and working practices a simple merger of the two HR functions would not provide the service required to support the business during a time of considerable change.

HM Revenue and Customs

John Barrett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the decision was made to close the Edinburgh office of the human resources service of HM Revenue and Customs.

Dawn Primarolo: The closure of the Edinburgh office is part of a programme of wider change in HR in Revenue and Customs. The programme brings together HR from the two former Departments into a single HRstructure that supports the new Department in delivering its challenging business objectives and commitments to efficiency savings as a result of the Gershon review and integration of the two former Departments.

HM Revenue and Customs

John Barrett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons a directorate of HM Revenue and Customs has not been located in Scotland.

Dawn Primarolo: In June last year HM Revenue and Customs moved to a new organisational structure based on functions rather than geography. The changes were made to improve quality and consistency and help HMRC deliver good service to customers.
	Many of HMRC's 36 business unit directorates have a presence in Scotland, but where each director's office is based will depend on the needs of that part of the business. HMRC is continuing to develop its plans for restructuring and relocation to meet its efficiency targets.

HM Revenue and Customs

John Barrett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer why HM Revenue and Customs has no human resources and learning managers in Scotland.

Dawn Primarolo: HM Revenue and Customs will have an HR Service Centre based in Cumbernauld in Scotland. There will be a 136 HR staff based in this officeand there will be 26 management posts in the organisational structure at officer, higher officer and senior officer level.

HM Revenue and Customs

John Barrett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken to retrain human resources staff within HM Revenue and Customs in Scotland following the recent reorganisation.

Dawn Primarolo: During the current transition period to a new structure of HR work in Revenue and Customs, both HR teams in Scotland are still actively employed on HR work. This situation is expected to continue until at least December 2006. Over the coming months, the Department will be working with staff in Edinburgh to secure new work for them that best utilises their skills. People will then receive training appropriate for their new work.

HM Revenue and Customs

John McDonnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total expenditure by HM Revenue and Customs has been on the use of consultants employed on introducing the lean processing model into the Department.

Dawn Primarolo: LEAN processing techniques are designed to drive out waste and increase productivity in those areas that process large volumes of routine transactions, and is a key element in HMRC's plans to provide improved service to customers, and meet its efficiency targets.
	The total expenditure by HM Revenue and Customs on the use of consultants introducing Lean Processing over the last two financial years from 200405 is 7.4 million.

Home Computer Initiative

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultations took place before his decision to terminate the Home Computer Initiative; and if he will make a statement.

David Burrowes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment the Government have made of the effect of the abolition of the home computing initiatives on its digital strategy; and what further stepsthe Government are taking to increase access to computers and improve IT skills.

Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what discussions he had with the Department of Trade and Industry on his plans to abolish Home Computer Initiative tax relief;
	(2)  what assessment was made of the likely effects on (a) businesses and (b) users before the decision was made to abolish the Home Computer Initiative scheme;
	(3)  what criteria he used in deciding that the abolition of Home Computer Initiative tax relief should have immediate effect.

Peter Luff: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1) for what reasons he abolished the Home Computing Initiative in advance of the earliest date originally indicated;
	(2)  which factors led him to conclude that suppliers in the Home Computing Initiative should not be given greater notice of the decision to terminate the scheme at the end of the 200506 financial year;
	(3)  if he will discuss with the chief executive of the Office of Fair Trading what arrangements can be made to ensure an orderly run-down of the Home Computing Initiative;
	(4)  what assessment he made of the impact on (a) employers and (b) users before deciding to abolish the Home Computing Initiative;
	(5)  what discussions he had with (a) the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, (b) the Office of Fair Trading and (c) representatives of the computer industry about his decision to abolish the Home Computing Initiative;
	(6)  if he will meet the Chief Executive of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to discuss the implications for the OFT of the termination of the Home Computing Initiative in the Budget;
	(7)  if he will list each of the (a) meeting, (b) correspondence including electronic mail and (c) other contact between (i) Ministers and (ii) officials in his Department and their counterparts in the Department of Trade and Industry on the future of the Home Computing Initiative in the 10 days before the Budget;
	(8)  if he will place in the Library the evidence of abuse collected by HM Inland Revenue and Customs that led to the decision to abolish the tax exemption that underpinned the home computer initiative;
	(9)  if he will place in the Library communications from his officials to the Department of Trade and Industry on the Home Computing Initiatives relating to the abolition of the tax exemption in the Budget;
	(10)  whether his Department produced a regulatory impact assessment of the abolition of the home computing initiatives tax exemption.

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the impact on (a) employers and (b) employees of the abolition of the Home Computer Initiative scheme;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with the Department of Trade and Industry on his plans to abolish the Home Computer Initiative scheme;
	(3)  what discussions he had with businesses before he made the decision to abolish the Home Computer Initiative tax relief;
	(4)  on what basis the notice period for abolishing the Home Computer Initiative tax relief scheme was decided.

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will make it his policy to retain the tax exemption offered as part of the Home Computing Initiative;
	(2)  what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the withdrawal of the Home Computing Initiative on levels of home computing in the UK;
	(3)  if he will compensate those people who invested heavily in anticipation of the Home Computer Bill and have been disadvantaged by its abandonment;
	(4)  if he will compensate those who invested in the Home Computer Initiative prior to the decision to abolish it.

Jo Swinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what period of notice his Department gave to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the ending of the Home Computing scheme.

David Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what discussions he had with businesses in Southend West constituency before he made the decision to abolish the Home Computer Initiative; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how much has been saved by the abolition of the Home Computer Initiative; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government keep all taxes under review and have been looking at how they can focus their support on groups with the poorest access to technology, following the publication of the Digital Strategy paper in April 2005 which indicated that the Home Computer Initiative was poorly targeted.
	In addition, HM Revenue and Customs has evidence to suggest that in some cases employees were buying the computer not borrowing it, and that some employees were being offered equipment that is clearly not a computer within the spirit of the legislation.
	In view of these risks to the Exchequer, the Government took action at Budget 2006 to remove the exemption from benefit-in-kind tax charges and national insurance contributions for employer-provided computer equipment from 6 April 2006, and an RIA on this and the amendment to the tax exemption for mobile phones has been published.
	HM Revenue and Customs has put in place transitional arrangements to ensure that where the employer and employee had agreed in writing before 6 April 2006 the terms on which the computer was to be made available the tax exemption would apply even if the employee had not physically taken possession of the computer by 6 April 2006. The Office of Fair Trading will continue to issue directions under the Consumer Credit Act, providing it is in the hirer's interest to do so, until 5 September 2006.
	Further to the Digital Strategy, the Government published its 'Inclusion through Innovation' report in November 2005, which looked at where Information and Communication Technology (ICTs) might deliver most benefit to excluded groups and considered how that might be achieved. In addition, the Government have written to representatives from industry inviting suggestions on the best way of refocusing our support on these target groups. Over the next few months the DTI will review the options put forward and consider how they would meet the Government's objectives.
	On 2 May, I announced two further measures which will:
	set up a dedicated Digital Inclusion Team to ensure the best use of ICT in tackling social exclusion;
	change the aims and objectives of the Digital Strategy to focus on inclusion, to reflect the shift in the Government's focus to a more targeted approach.

Home Computer Initiative

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many fraudulent claims have been submitted under the Home Computing Initiative; and how many consequent court cases (a) have been concluded and (b) are pending.

Dawn Primarolo: Employees do not claim tax relief under the Home Computer Initiative. The exemption applied to remove any benefit in kind charge arising when an employer loaned a computer to an employee for private use. Evidence collected by HMRC shows that the HCI was being used to enable employees to buy equipment out of their pre tax income, including in some cases leisure equipment such as game consoles and MP3 Players.

Illegal Meat Imports

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many passengers have been found to be in possession of illegal meat imports after being detected by meat detector dogs since 2001; and how many such passengers have been (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted of importing illegal meat.

Dawn Primarolo: Dogs trained to detect products of animal origin were introduced in September 2002. Since then they have been responsible for 597 detections in 200203, 1,532 detections in 200304 and 3,375 detections in 200405.
	Central records do not show the number of passengers associated with each detection. There has been one prosecution as a result of a detection by the dogs. In November 2005 the importer was convicted of the illegal importation of 100 kilos of crayfish and fined 100.

Illegal Meat Imports

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which locations each meat detector dog has visited in each month since 2001; how many hours each UK (a) seaport, (b) airport and (c) border crossing point has had a meat detector dog working in each month since 2001; and how many hours each meat detector dog has worked in each month since 2001.

Dawn Primarolo: HM Revenue and Customs detector dogs are deployed on a flexible, mobile basis according to risk and where they will have the most impact. They may be deployed at any port, airport or border crossing point in Great Britain that handles traffic from outside the European Union. The meat detector dogs work full time and flexible hours according to operational requirements. Further information is not available: release of detailed information about deployment of anti-smuggling resources would put in the public domain information that would be valuable to those seeking to circumvent customs controls thereby prejudicing the prevention and detection of crime.

Illegal Meat Imports

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many tonnes of meat have been voluntarily handed over by passengers at each UK (a) seaport, (b) airport and (c) border crossing point in each year since 1997;
	(2)  if he will estimate the total amount of illegal meat seized at (a) each UK seaport, (b) each UK airport and (c) each UK border crossing point in each year since 2003.

Dawn Primarolo: Revenue and Customs began to record illegal meat seizures when they took on responsibility for tackling illegal imports of products of animal origin in April 2003. In the financial year 200304 HM Revenue and Customs seized 70,083 tonnes of meat at all seaports, airports and postal depots in Great Britain of which 3,066 tonnes had been voluntarily surrendered by passengers. In 200405 they seized 77,087 tonnes of meat of which 2,523 tonnes had been voluntarily surrendered. More detailed information is not available as disclosure of results at different locations would put in the public domain information that would be valuable to those seeking to circumvent customs controls thereby prejudicing the prevention and detection of crime.

Mortgages

John Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to limit the fees chargeable by mortgage lenders to people wishing to change their mortgage provider.

Ivan Lewis: The charges imposed by mortgage lenders are principally a matter for commercial judgment in a competitive mortgage market.
	The UK adopted statutory mortgage regulation in October 2004, under the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Under that regime charges must be clearly disclosed to customers before they conclude a contract with a lender.
	Where these charges can be varied over the life of the mortgage, any change must be made in a way that is fair to the customer, the FSA is currently looking into increases to exit charges by certain lenders to ensure they have been made in a fair way.

National Insurance (Music Industry)

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce class 1 national insurance liability for freelance musicians; whether he is seeking to claim back payments of class 1 contributions from musicians and orchestras; and what assessment he has made of the impact of this policy on orchestras.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave the hon. member for East Antrim (SammyWilson) on 8 December 2005, Official Report, column 992.

Off-shore Trusts

Nigel Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the annual tax revenue which would be payable if all off-shore trusts held by British residents were repatriated to the UK.

Dawn Primarolo: No such estimate has been made.

Online Goods Declaration

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the development cost has been of the free online service by which traders can declare goods to HM Revenue and Customs; what the set-up cost of the service was; and what the expected annual cost is of (a) staff and (b) infrastructure for the service.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Online Goods Declaration

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the expected cost is of updating CHIEF and the free declaration service by which traders can declare goods to HM Revenue and Customs to conform with the new requirements determined by the EU.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC is currently working to clarify and document the full requirements of the EU Change Programme, technical options for delivery and associated timescales for implementation. CHIEF is likely to be the system used to implement most (but not all) of the Change Programme but until our preparatory work is complete it is by no means certain, and therefore it is not possible to provide accurate costs for updating CHIEF at this time. Each project within the EU Change Programme will be subject to a full and robust Business Case, which will include identification of the most appropriate VFM technology for delivery, reducing the compliance burden and improving customer experience.

Parliamentary Questions

Peter Luff: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to Question (a) 63803, (b) 62950, (c) 62951, (d) 62952, (e) 62948 and (f) 62949, on the home computing initiative, tabled by the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire.

Dawn Primarolo: I have done so today.

Pension Funds

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which former state-owned companies have received Crown guarantees in respect of their pension fund deficits.

Ivan Lewis: It is a matter for the Department that provided the Crown guarantee to report any obligations created by the Crown guarantee to Parliament in accordance with the Requirements of Government Accounting and in its Departmental Resource Accounts in accordance with the Government's Financial Reporting Manual, which complies with generally accepted accounting practice.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 30 March 2006, Official Report, column 1116W, on tax credits, how many and what proportion of tax credit claimants received manual payments as a result of (a) delays in processing changes in circumstances, (b) the termination of claims because the award notice had not been signed and subsequent reinstating of the claim, (c) an error resulting in a child or children no longer being shown on the award notice and (d) other reasons in (i) 200304, (ii) 200405 and (iii) 200506; and what the total amount of these manual payments was broken down by reason for the manual payment in each year.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 30 March 2006; Official Report, column 1116W.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the performance management data on tax credits which is available on a (a) monthly, (b) quarterly and (c) annual basis; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC maintains a wide range of management information data to help them manage tax credits business, monitor performance and ultimately inform the Department's annual report.
	Collection of data will vary across the year.

Teenage Pregnancy

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the levels of teenage pregnancy were in each county in each year since 1997.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 3 May 2006
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the levels of teenage pregnancy were in each county in each year since 1997. (67417)
	Available figures are estimates of the number of pregnancies that resulted in a live birth, stillbirth or termination.
	Teenage conception numbers and rates from 1997 to 2004 (the most recent year for which figures are available) are given in the attached table, which I am also placing in the House of Commons Library. Figures for 2004 are provisional.

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the Valuation Office Agency's (a) best practice guide and (b) Certificate of Value manual on the taking and adding of photographs for valuation purposes.

Dawn Primarolo: The Valuation Office Agency's (VGA) (a) IT Systems Best PracticeDigital Photography Summary and IT Systems Best PracticeDigital Photography are purely technical guides for its staff on how to take and store photographs using a digital camera, (b) The VOA does not have a Certificate of Value manual as requested.

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the Valuation Office Agency's Data Strategy.

Dawn Primarolo: The Valuation Office Agency's Forward Plan 20052008 and Annual Report and Accounts 20042005, both of which are available on its website www.voa.gov.uk. cover the strategy for improving its data and exploiting new technology with examples.

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his Answer of 23 March 2006, Official Report, column 506W, to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman), on the Valuation Office Agency, whether the performance appraisal system, performance rewards and performance-related pay for any staff member conducting valuations is linked to the volume, frequency, accuracy or size of the valuations.

Dawn Primarolo: In line with guidance from the Cabinet Office, the Valuation Office Agency's performance appraisal system and performance-related rewards are linked to the delivery of its key business objectives and targets (including timeliness, quality, value for money and customer satisfaction) which are set out in detail in the Agency's Forward Plan, available on its website www.voa.gov.uk.

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cameras the Valuation Office Agency owns.

Dawn Primarolo: The Valuation Office Agency has replaced 2,126 conventional cameras in the last five years on cost saving grounds. The Valuation Office Agency has used camera since the 1980s and has a total of 2,355 cameras.

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer of 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 1038W, to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) on the Valuation Office Agency, when he will place a copy of the staff intranet announcement notice in the Library.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been assured by officials that the intranet announcement was deposited in the Library of the House on 6 February 2006, the day I answered the question from the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman). The Library has confirmed that it is available to Members.

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 30 March 2006, Official Report, columns 11178W, on the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), which foreign trips staff from the VOA undertook that were funded by public funds in (a) 200405 and (b) 200506.

Dawn Primarolo: There is nothing I can usefully add to my earlier answer. The information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

VAT

Lynne Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 30 March 2006, Official Report, column 1118W, on VAT relief, whether within an existing zero rate of VAT category it is permitted to alter the detailed arrangements with respect to an item or service to which the zero rate applies.

Dawn Primarolo: Under our agreements with our European partners we are not permitted to extend the scope of our existing zero rates to include supplies on which VAT is currently chargeable.

War Loan Repayments

Anne Moffat: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the UK Government continue to pay interest and capital reduction to the US in connection with lend lease and war loans; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The Government intends to meet its obligations under the 1945 Agreement by repaying the United States Government in full the amounts lent in 1945. Repayment of the war loans to the United States Government are expected to be completed on 31 December 2006.

Western Gray Whales

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assurances he received during discussions on the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's funding for Shell's proposed Sakhalin II development that none of the remaining western gray whales will die as a result of the project.

Ivan Lewis: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, together with the other potential lenders to the Sakhalin II project, have undertaken an extensive and detailed assessment of the risks to the western gray whales. This assessment has drawn on the views of an independent panel of world-renowned whale experts, convened by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). This panel produced a series of recommendations on whale protection measures relating to noise, construction schedules, vessel movements, monitoring and other relevant issues, and it is hoped that these measures, together with Sakhalin Energy's own whale protection plans, will minimise the level of disruption to the whale's habitat. To date there is no evidence of Sakhalin Energy's activities resulting in any whale deaths, and recent research has indicated that the whale population is showing signs of recovery.
	Further comfort is drawn from the establishment of an independent western gray whale Advisory Panel that will oversee and advise on ongoing whale conservation activities and research. Sakhalin Energy has agreed to implement all reasonable recommendations that this panel produces.
	Whale protection measures and commitments would be contractual obligations under any loan agreements between Sakhalin Energy and the potential lenders, and these commitments would be monitored and publicly reported on.